The first thing that met her sight was the waiter of provisions upon
the stand. And at this fresh instance of her little maid's
forethought, she burst into a uncontrollable fit of laughter.
She did not see a dark figure glide from behind the window curtains,
steal to the door, turn the lock and withdraw the key!
But still retaining her prejudice against the presence of food in
her bed-chamber, she lifted up the waiter in both hands to cany it
out into the passage, turned and stood face to face with--Black
Donald!
CHAPTER XIX.
THE AWFUL PERIL OF CAPITOLA.
Out of this nettle, danger,
I'll pluck the flower, safety!
--SHAKESPEARE.
Capitola's blood seemed turned to ice, and her form to stone by the
sight! Her first impulse was to scream and let fall the waiter! She
controlled herself and repressed the scream though she was very near
dropping the waiter.
Black Donald looked at her and laughed aloud at her consternation,
saying with a chuckle:
"You did not expect to see me here to-night, did you now, my dear?"
She gazed at him in a silent panic for a moment.
Then her faculties, that had been suddenly dispersed by the shock,
as suddenly rallied to her rescue.
In one moment she understood her real position.
Black Donald had locked her in with himself and held the key--so she
could not hope to get out.
Pages:
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233