The swords of the officers were drawn; but instead of
advancing upon the formidable being, who stood as if
paralysed at this unexpected rencontre, the two seniors
contented themselves with assuming a defensive
attitude,--retiring slowly and gradually towards the
other extremity of the bridge.
Overcome by his emotion, Charles de Haldimar had not
noticed this action of his companions, and stood apparently
riveted to the spot. The voice of Blessington calling on
him by name to retire, seemed to arouse the dormant
consciousness of the unhappy maniac. She uttered a
piercing shriek, and, springing forward, sank on her
knees at his feet, exclaiming, as she forcibly detained
him by his dress,--
"Almighty Heaven! where am I? surely that was Captain
Blessington's kind voice I heard; and you--you are Charles
de Haldimar. Oh! save my husband; plead for him with
your father!----but no," she continued wildly,--"he is
dead--he is murdered! Behold these hands all covered with
his blood! Oh!----"
"Ha! another De Haldimar!" exclaimed Wacousta, recovering
his slumbering energies, "this spot seems indeed fated
for our meeting.
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