The Midnight Queen - Page 145/177

"Is this your friend?" asked the count. "He is a very small one, and

seems in a bad state of health."

Sir Norman, still under the influence of the pinch, replied by an

inaudible murmur, and looked with a deeply mystified expression, at

Hubert.

"He bears a strong resemblance to the lady we were talking of a moment

ago," continued the count--"is sufficiently like her, in fact, to be her

brother; and, I see wears the livery of the Earl of Rochester."

"God spare you your eye-sight!" said Sir Norman, impatiently. "Can

you not see, among the rest, that I have a few words to say to him in

private? Permit us to leave you for a moment."

"There is no need to do so. I will leave you, as I have a few words to

say to the person who is with me."

So saying the count walked away, and Hubert followed him with a most

curious look.

"Now," cried Sir Norman, eagerly, "what news?"

"Good!" said the boy. "Leoline is safe!"

"And where?"

"Not far from here. Didn't he tell you?"

"The count? No--yes; he said she was at his house."

"Exactly. That is where she is," said Hubert, looking much relieved.

"And, at present, perfectly safe."

"And did you see her?"

"Of course; and heard her too. She was dreadfully anxious to come with

me; but that was out of the question."

"And how is she to be got away?"

"That I do not clearly see. We will have to bring a ladder, and there

will be so much danger, and so little chance of success, that, to me it

seems an almost hopeless task. Where did you meet Count L'Estrange?"

"Here; and he told me that he had abducted her, and held her a prisoner

in his own house."

"He owned that did he? I wonder you were not fit to kill him?"

"So I was, at first, but he talked the matter over somehow."

And hereupon Sir Norman briefly and quickly rehearsed the substance of

their conversation. Hubert listened to it attentively, and laughed as he

concluded.

"Well, I do not see that you can do otherwise, Sir Norman, and I

think it would be wise to obey the count for to-night, at least. Then

to-morrow--if things do not go on well, we can take the law in our own

hands."

"Can we?" said Sir Norman, doubtfully, "I do wish you would tell me who

this infernal count is, Hubert, for I am certain you know."

"Not until to-morrow--you shall know him then."

"To-morrow! to-morrow!" exclaimed Sir Norman, disconsolately.

"Everything is postponed until to-morrow! Oh, here comes the count back

again. Are we going to start now, I wonder?"

"Is your friend to accompany us on our expedition?" inquired the count,

standing before them. "It shall be quite as you say, Mr. Kingsley."