Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/178

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"MORE GREAT IN MARTYRDOM."
167

"I thank you deeply. But—I shall not fly from them!"

"My God! Not fly? Do you not know that if you are taken——"

Her lips might be a shade whiter, but her voice had no hesitation as she answered him:

"My fate will not be worse than others; whatever is theirs, I share."

Carlo of Viana drew the broad blade with a ringing echo from the sheath:

"Mother of Christ, then, we will defend you while life is in us!"

At that very moment the storm broke, the tumult began; the gay maskers fled in from the terraces and gardens like sheep driven wild by a wolf-dog; the banqueters seized the antique weapons, the weighty candelabra, the bronzes, the toy daggers—all and anything that would crash through like iron or be hurled like stones; the double lines of steel drew closer, and filled in every aperture, blocked every door of egress; an officer advanced to the centre of the great arch that spanned the entrance of the first reception-room, and addressed the Prince himself:

"Eccellenza, in the King's name, I demand your unqualified submission, and your surrender to me of