"That you come with me to seek out those frightened fair ones,
who are a great deal too lovely to share the fate of their male
companions. I shall give them their liberty to go where they
please, on condition that they do not enter the city. We have
enough vile of their class there already."
Sir Norman silently followed him into the azure and silver
saloon, where the crowd of duchesses and countesses were "weeping
and wringing their hands," and as white as so many pretty ghosts.
In a somewhat brief and forcible manner, considering his
characteristic gallantry, the count made his proposal, which,
with feelings of pleasure and relief, was at once acceded to; and
the two gentlemen bowed themselves out, and left the startled
ladies.
On returning to the crimson court, he commanded a number of his
soldiers to remain and bury the dead, and assist the wounded; and
then, followed by the remainder and the prisoners under their
charge, passed out, and were soon from the heated atmosphere in
the cool morning air. The moon was still serenely shining, but
the stars that kept the earliest hours were setting, and the
eastern sky was growing light with the hazy gray of coming morn.
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