An extraordinary tumult in the house
induced him to quicken his speed, and on arriving at the door, the
panic-stricken Katy informed him that the bullet aimed at his own life
had taken effect in the bosom of Miss Singleton.
CHAPTER XXIV
Hushed were his Gertrude's lips; but still their bland
And beautiful expression seemed to melt
With love that could not die! and still his hand
She presses to the heart no more that felt.
--_Gertrude of Wyoming_.
The brief arrangements of the dragoons had prepared two apartments for
the reception of the ladies, the one being intended as a sleeping room,
and situated within the other. Into the latter Isabella was immediately
conveyed, at her own request, and placed on a rude bed by the side of
the unconscious Sarah. When Miss Peyton and Frances flew to her
assistance, they found her with a smile on her pallid lip, and a
composure in her countenance, that induced them to think her uninjured.
"God be praised!" exclaimed the trembling aunt. "The report of firearms,
and your fall, had led me into error. Surely, surely, there was enough
horror before; but this has been spared us."
Isabella pressed her hand upon her bosom, still smiling, but with a
ghastliness that curdled the blood of Frances.
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