An  eternity  of  anguish  seemed   to  have  passed  over  her,  al-


MERRY-MOUNT.  205


though  she  could  not  form  with  the  slightest  accuracy  an  opinion
as  to  the  actual  length  of  time  which  had  elapsed  since  her  first
capture,  when  the  sails  of  the  boat  seemed  to  be  flapping  heav
ily,  and  then  to  be  furled  around  the  masts.  Directly  afterwards
the  light  keel  seemed  to  touch  a  pebbly  shore,  and  she  was  then
again  lifted  from  her  position,  and  borne  rapidly  away.
After  a  few  moments,  a  door  seemed  to  open,  and  she  was
carried  within  a  building.  She  was  then  placed  with  great  gen
tleness  upon  a  cushioned  seat,  and  directly  afterwards,  the  cords
which  bound  her  were  loosened,  and  the  cloak  by  which  she
was  muffled  was  removed.  For  a  moment  she  dared  not  to  open
her  eyes,  and  she  sat  collecting  all  the  energy  which  was  left
her,  before  she  should  venture  upon  the  new  scene  of  horror
which  doubtless  was  impending.  At  last  she  looked  wildly  and
fearfully  round.  She  found  herself  in  a  strange  apartment,  spa
cious  but  uncouth  in  its  appearance,  evidently  the  abode  of
civilized  men  rather  than  of  savages,  but  resembling  in  its  equip
ments  nothing  which  she  had  ever  before  seen.  She  deemed
herself  alone,  and  was  uttering  a  devout  thanksgiving  for  even
this  momentary  respite,  when  a  stealthy  step  struck  her  ear,
and  then  she  found  herself  in  the  company  of  Sir  Christopher
Gardiner.
"  We  meet  again,  Esther  Ludlow,"  said  he,  in  a  gentle  and
melancholy  tone,  "  we  meet  again,  never  to  separate."

Esther,  as  pale  as  ashes,  looked  in  his  face  without  power  of
reply.
