"She is so much to me that I will run a risk for her which I would not run
for myself," replied Wyat. "If I promise obedience to you, will you
liberate her? will you let her depart with me?"
"No," said Herne peremptorily. "Banish all thoughts of her from your
breast. You will never behold her again. I will give you time for
reflection on my proposal. An hour before midnight I shall return, and if
I find you in the same mind, I abandon you to your fate."
And with these words he stepped back towards the lower end of the
cell. Wyat instantly sprang after him, but before he could reach him a
flash of fire caused him to recoil, and to his horror and amazement, he
beheld the rock open, and yield a passage to the retreating figure.
When the sulphureous smoke, with which the little cell was filled, had in
some degree cleared off, Wyat examined the sides of the rock, but
could not find the slightest trace of a secret outlet, and therefore
concluded that the disappearance of the demon had been effected by
magic.
V. How Mabel escaped from the Cave with Sir Thomas Wyat.
The next day Mabel was set at liberty by her gaoler, and the hours flew
by without the opportunity of escape, for which she sighed, occurring
to her.
Pages:
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470