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TIGHTENING THE CHAINS 145<br />

trust this gentleman. Do all he tells you<br />

to do for love of me. I shall be away two<br />

weeks. Love. Paul.'<br />

"<br />

I stood in the centre of the large room,<br />

bewildered.<br />

"<br />

Why had Paul deserted me ? Why was I<br />

in the room with this young nobleman, this<br />

Hercules ? who had evidently divested himself<br />

of his day-clothes and wore now his sleeping<br />

suit, which was judiciously covered by a long<br />

wrapper.<br />

" '<br />

Are you the Count's ? nephew '<br />

I asked.<br />

" '<br />

'<br />

Yes/ he quickly replied. I am his<br />

nephew and I am your protector. I will<br />

see you made comfortable, and depart.'<br />

"<br />

This was the only gleam of comfort I could<br />

see his departure.<br />

" ( You tremble. Do not fear me, dear<br />

madame. No harm will come to you here.<br />

I shall defend you with my life. Here,<br />

take this glass of wine : it will put you<br />

to sleep.'<br />

" I mechanically drank the wine. It<br />

quickly fired my blood and made me giddy<br />

in the head.<br />

" '<br />

Let me help you to take your ornaments<br />

out of your hair/ he said, and without waiting<br />

for my assent he proceeded to fondle my<br />

hair. Then he took me in his arms. Oh !<br />

those strong arms. I can now feel their vice-<br />

like grasp.<br />

" '<br />

Oh, please leave me alone/ I pleaded.<br />

" (<br />

Yes, yes, I will leave you alone when you<br />

are comfortable.'<br />

10

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