Chapter 24

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.

"Is George far distant?" she asked. "Let him know--hasten him, that I
may see my brother once again."

"It is as I apprehended!" shrieked Miss Peyton. "But you smile--surely
you are not hurt!"

"Quite well--quite happy," murmured Isabella; "here is a remedy for
every pain."

Sarah arose from the reclining posture she had taken, and gazed wildly
at her companion. She stretched forth her own hand, and raised that of
Isabella from her bosom. It was dyed in blood.

"See," said Sarah, "but will it not wash away love? Marry, young woman,
and then no one can expel him from your heart, unless,"--she added,
whispering, and bending over the other,--"you find another there before
you; then die, and go to heaven--there are no wives in heaven."

The lovely maniac hid her face under the clothes, and continued silent
during the remainder of the night. At this moment Lawton entered. Inured
as he was to danger in all its forms, and accustomed to the horrors of a
partisan war, the trooper could not behold the ruin before him unmoved.
He bent over the fragile form of Isabella, and his gloomy eye betrayed
the workings of his soul.

"Isabella," he at length uttered, "I know you to possess a courage
beyond the strength of women."

"Speak," she said, earnestly; "if you have anything to say, speak
fearlessly."

The trooper averted his face as he replied, "None ever receive a ball
there, and survive."

"I have no dread of death, Lawton," returned Isabella. "I thank you for
not doubting me; I felt it from