She waited thus for nearly an hour, during which all was still, and Minnie said not a word. Then a shadowy figure appeared near her at Hawbury's door, and a hand touched her shoulder. Not a word was said. Ethel stole softly and noiselessly into Hawbury's room, where the priest was. She could see the two windows, and the priest indicated to her the position of the sleeper. Slowly and cautiously she stole over toward him. She reached the place. She knelt by his side, and bent low over him. Her lips touched his forehead. The sleeper moved slightly, and murmured some words. "All fire," he murmured; "fire--and flame. It is a furnace before us. She must not die." Then he sighed. Ethel's heart beat wildly. The words that he spoke told her where his thoughts were wandering. She bent lower; tears fell from her eyes and upon his face. "My darling," murmured the sleeper, "we will land here. I will cook the fish. How pale! Don't cry, dearest." The house was all still. Not a sound arose. Ethel still bent down and listened for more of these words which were so sweet to her. "Ethel!" murmured the sleeper, "where are you? Lost! lost!" A heavy sigh escaped him, which found an echo in the heart of the listener. She touched his forehead gently with one hand, and whispered, "My lord!" Hawbury started. "What's this?" he murmured. "A friend," said Ethel. At this Hawbury became wide awake. "Who are you?" he whispered, in a trembling voice. "For God's sake--oh, for God's sake, speak again! tell me!" "Harry," said Ethel. Hawbury recognized the voice at once. A slight cry escaped him, which was instantly suppressed, and then a torrent of whispered words followed. "Oh, my darling! my darling! my darling! What is this? How is this? Is it a dream? Oh, am I awake? Is it you? Oh, my darling! my darling! Oh, if my arms were but free!" Ethel bent over him, and passed her arm around him till she felt the cords that bound him. She had a sharp knife ready, and with this she cut the cords. Hawbury raised himself, without waiting for his feet to be freed, and caught Ethel in his freed arms in a silent embrace, and pressed her over and over again to his heart. Ethel with difficulty extricated herself. "There's no time to lose," said she. "I came to save you. Don't waste another moment; it will be too late. Oh, do not! Oh, wait!" she added, as Hawbury made another effort to clasp her in his arms. "Oh, do what I say, for my sake!" She felt for his feet, and cut the rest of his bonds. "What am I to do?" asked Hawbury, clasping her close, as though he was afraid that he would lose her again. "Escape." "Well, come! I'll leap with you from the window." "You can't. The house and all around swarms with brigands. They watch us all closely." "I'll fight my way through them." "Then you'll be killed, and I'll die." "Well, I'll do whatever you say." "Listen, then. You must escape alone." "What! and leave you? Never!"