Blue Beard had raised his arm to give the fatal blow, when a dreadful shriek from her sister, who at that moment entered the apartment, arrested his attention. She entreated him to spare the life of Fatima, but he was deaf to her intercession, and would only grant her one quarter of an hour, that she might make her peace with Heaven, before he put her to death. Blue Beard then dragged her up to a large hall in the top of the tower of the castle, to prevent her groans being heard, to which they were followed by her sister. He then told her to make the best use of the time, as she might expect his return the moment it elapsed, and immediately left the place. When alone with her sister, Fatima felt her dreadful situation, and again burst into tears. Only fifteen minutes between her and the most cruel death, without the least chance of escape; for Blue Beard had secured the door when he retired, and the staircase they saw only led to the battlements. Fatima's thoughts were now turned to her brothers, whom she expected that day; and she requested her sister to ascend to the top of the tower, to see if there was any appearance of them. Fatima's sister immediately ascended to the top of the battlements, while the poor trembling girl below, every minute, cried out, "Sister Anne, my dear sister Anne, do you see any one coming yet?" Her sister always replied, "There is not a human being in view, and I see nothing but the sun and the grass." She was upon her knees bewailing her fate, when Blue Beard, in a tremendous voice, cried out, "Are you ready? the time is expired;" and she heard the sound of his footsteps approaching. She again supplicated him to allow her five minutes longer to finish her prayers, which he, knowing she was completely within his power, granted her, and again left her. Fatima again renewed her inquiries to her sister; "Do you see any one coming yet?" Her sister replied, "There is not a human being within sight." When the five minutes were elapsed, the voice of Blue Beard was heard bawling out, "Are you ready yet?" She again beseeched him to allow her only two minutes more, and then addressed her sister, "Dear Anne, do you see any one coming yet?" [Illustration] "I see," said her sister, "a cloud of dust rising a little to the left." In breathless agitation, she cried, "Do you think it is my brothers?" "Alas! no, my dearest Fatima," returned her sister, "it is only a flock of sheep." Again the voice of Blue Beard was heard, and she begged for one minute longer. She then called out for the last time, "Sister Anne, do you see no one coming yet?" Her sister quickly answered, "I see two men on horseback, but they are still a great way off." "Thank heaven," exclaimed Fatima, "I shall yet be saved, for it must be my two brothers! My dearest sister, make every signal in your power to hasten them forward, or they will be too late."