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LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY 515
Somewhat reassured, Emmeline settled herself back on her pillow.
" What did you mean, Cassy, by saying you would kill me ? " she said, simply.
" I meant to stop your fainting," said Cassy, " and I did dc it. And now I tell you, Emmeline, you must make up your mind not to faint, let what will come; there 's no sort of need of it. If I had not stopped you, that wretch might have had his hands on you now."
Emmeline shuddered.
The two remained some time in silence. Cassy busied herself with a French book ; Emmeline, overcome with the exhaustion, fell into a doze, and slept some time. She was awakened by loud shouts and outcries, the tramp of horses' feet, and the baying of dogs. She started up, with a faint shriek.
"Only the hunt coming back," said Cassy, coolly; " never fear. Look out of this knot-hole. Don't you see 'em all down there ? Simon has to give it up, for this night. Look, how muddy his horse is, flouncing about in the swamp ; the dogs, too, look rather crestfallen. Ah, my good sir, you '11 have to try the race again and again — the game is n't there."
" Oh, don't speak a word ! " said Emmeline ; " what if they should hear you ? "
" If they do hear anything, it will make them very particular to keep away," said Cassy. " No danger; we may make any noise we please, and it will only add to the effect."
At length the stillness of midnight settled down over the house. Legree, cursing his ill-luck, and vowing dire vengeance on the morrow, went to bed. |
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