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Norman, she sat fairly erect, with a cry of exultation and joy

"You have come, you have come, as I knew you would," she excitedly

cried, "and the hour of retribution is at hand!"

At the words of one who, a few moments before, they had supposed to be

dead, an awestruck silence fell; and the count, taking advantage of it,

waved his hand, and cried, "Yield yourselves prisoners, I couards are

without; and the first of you who offers the slightest resistance will

die like a dog! Ho, guards I enter, and seize your prisoners!"

Quick as thought the room was full of soldiers! but the rest of the

order was easier said than obeyed The robbers, knowing their dooht with the fury of desperation, and a snort, wild, and

terrible conflict ensued Foremost in the melee was Sir Norman and the

count; while Hubert, who had taken possession of the dwarf's sword,

fought like a young lion The shrieks of the wo,

as they all fled, precipitately, into the blue dining-roo distractedly about--true to their

sex--made the air resound with the most lamentable cries Some five or

six, braver than the rest, alone remained; and more than one of these

actually mixed in the affray, with a herois erect, and supported in the ar sylph in white, watched the conflict with

terribly-exultant eyes, that blazed brighter and brighter with the lurid

fire of vengeful joy st every robber that fell