The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 336: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FLIGHT - 319 ‘“ Now courage, Juliana,” said the count, as he lifted her on her horse, and the next moment he sprang upon his own. Geway! |’ As he uttered this last word, the loud knocking of the gendarmes at the cottage door reached their ears; and it should be observed that all these proceedings on their part, conducted with such lightning rapidity, had been unob- served by the officers of justice, insamuch as they took place entirely in the rear of the dwelling, while the gendarmes had approached the cottage from the front. ‘““ Away!’ — that word was the signal for their departure. They dashed through the back garden; the low fence sep- arating it from the orchard was cleared by the two steeds, but in the orchard itself a couple of gendarmes, on foot, at once sprang toward them. It was evident that the precincts of the cottage were surrounded by the officers, but a word of encouragement burst from the count’s lips; with the speed of a hurricane the two animals dashed through the orchard. A carbine was fired by one of the gendarmes; the next moment the report of his companion’s weapon likewise rang through the air, and the bullets whistled past the ears of the fugitives. The hedge at the extremity of the orchard was cleared; the steeds, stretching forth lke greyhounds, sped over the meadows, until, in a few minutes, the road to Perpignan was reached, after the short but rapid circuit thus made. Meantime the cry of an escape had rung from the lips of the gendarmes; their horses were remounted, and a chase was quickly instituted. It was: however ineffectual; the count and Juliana rode on as if upon the wings of the wind, and when they presently halted to listen, as well as to breathe their panting coursers, no sounds of pursuit reached their ears from behind. “You have borne yourself bravely, Juliana,’’ cried the count, 1n thrilling tones of exultation. ‘“ But what means all this?’ inquired his wife. ‘‘ In the - yame of Heaven, tell me. Wherefore came those officers? Waat have you done? ”’ “ Away, away, Juliana! ’’ exclaimed her husband. ‘‘ This is no moment for explanations.”’ Once more did the steeds career along, although there were still no sounds of pursuit. The gendarmes were evi- dently either distanced or at fault. Ever and anon, when the CONNIE DOOKS (FO)