The necessity for prompt and
immediate action was, however, evident; and she alone
was capable of exertion. Speechless with alarm, and
trembling in every joint, the unhappy Clara had now lost
all command of her limbs; and, clinging close to the side
of her cousin, by her wild looks alone betrayed
consciousness had not wholly deserted her. The energy of
despair lent more than woman's strength to Miss de
Haldimar. She caught the fainting girl in her arms,
retraced her way to the chamber, and depositing her burden
on the bed, emphatically enjoined her on no account to
move until her return. She then quitted the room, and
rapidly descended the staircase.
For some moments all was still and hushed as the waveless
air; and then again a loud chorus of shouts was heard
from the ramparts of the fort. The choked breathing of
the young girl became more free, and the blood rushed
once more from her oppressed heart to the extremities.
Never did tones of the human voice fall more gratefully
on the ear of mariner cast on some desert island, than
did those on that of the highly excited Clara. It was
the loud laugh of the soldiery, who, collected along the
line of rampart in front, were watching the progress of
the ball-players.
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