"A purty thing, to make sich a moan for a spalpeen iv a Frencher," answered the Irishman testily. "Our lives are now indeed forfeited, if we cannot escape. Virginia!" He went from the turret to where she sat in a sort of stupor with cold and terror, and in a few words informed her that they must escape now, or be for ever lost. "Blue blazes, sir!" bawled Paddy from the turret door; "is it the wimmen ye’re afther? Is this a time to go making love? Musha! musha! sure there’s always mischief where they are." "Quick now, Mulroony,—follow us!" said Louis, who encircled Virginia with his arm to support her. "We have not a moment to lose. Heaven grant me firmness now!" Armed with the bayonet, and grumbling curses at the blood which was flowing freely from his arm, Mulroony followed Lisle and the lady to the barrier-gate, where two sentries were posted. The night was dark and black, and a dismal wind howled between the works and embrasures. The sentinels kept within their turrets, and every thing seemed favourable to their escape. "_Qui vive?_" challenged one fellow at the gate. Louis hesitated a moment,—and the British reply "Friend," almost escaped his lips. "_Belzebub! Qui va là?_" cried the gate-ward, again striking the butt of his firelock on the sentry-box floor. "Make some answer, or we are undone," whispered Virginia, as she clung in terror to the arm of Louis, who, still advancing towards the gate, replied in a feigned voice, "_Caporal, hors de la garde._" "_Aha!_" replied the sentinel, coming from his box. "_Avance, qui a l’ordre_." "MARENGO," replied Louis. "_Passe, mon ami_," replied the soldier, returning to his box. His suspicions were lulled, and they gained the gate without further molestation, the darkness of the night rendering their figures so indistinct, that it was impossible for the sentinels to discover them. The barrier was composed of strong planks, through which a little wicket was cut. "How fortunate!" said Lisle; "the passage is open, and the draw-bridge down. We are free, and shall soon be safe among the British troops." "Huisht, plaze yer honner; its hearin’ us they’ll be! Be aisy. Help out the lady: will you lane on my arm too, mem?" "Senor?" She did not understand him. An exclamation in Spanish caused them all to start. "_Dios mio!_ my father!" shrieked Virginia, as an officer outside the gate sprung forward and drove his sword through the body of the brave Mulroony, who fell mortally wounded, while the guard and sentries came running from all quarters to the spot. Louis found himself again a prisoner, and when on the very brink of freedom. "Bring a lantern!" exclaimed the duke, whom Lisle’s evil genius had brought to the gate, but on what errand he never discovered, "Bring a light, and let us see what soldier of the Emperor is base enough to assist prisoners to escape. I surely heard French spoken by some one."