The Midnight Queen - Page 123/177

"I suspect!" said the boy, emphatically, "nothing more; and if it is

as I believe, I will bring you news of Leoline before you are two hours

older."

"How am I to know you are not deceiving me, and will not betray her into

the power of the Earl of Rochester--if, indeed, she be not in his power

already."

"She is not in it, and never will be through me! I feel an odd interest

in this matter, and I will be true to you, Sir Norman--though why I

should be, I really don't know. I give you my word of honor that I will

do what I can to find Leoline and restore her to you; and I have never

yet broken my word of honor to any man," said Hubert, drawing himself

up.

"Well, I will trust you, because I cannot do anything better," said Sir

Norman, rather dolefully; "but why not let me go with you?"

"No, no! that would never do! I must go alone, and you must trust me

implicitly. Give me your hand upon it."

They shook hands silently, went down stairs, and stood for a moment at

the door.

"You'll find me here at any hour between this and morning," said Sir

Norman. "Farewell now, and Heaven speed you!"

The boy waved his hand in adieu, and started off at a sharp pace. Sir

Norman turned in the opposite direction for a short walk, to cool the

fever in his blood, and think over all that had happened. As he went

slowly along, in the shadow of the houses, he suddenly tripped up over

something lying in his path, and was nearly precipitated over it.

Stooping down to examine the stumbling-block, it proved to be the rigid

body of a man, and that man was Ormiston, stark and dead, with his face

upturned to the calm night-sky.