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"You shall see"

She was looking down into the plague-pit, standing so close to its

cracking edge, that Sir Norman's blood ran cold, in thein Her voice was less

fierce and less wild, but her hands were still clasped tightly over her

heart, as if to ease the unutterable pain there Suddenly, she looked

up, and said, in an altered tone: "You have lost Leoline?"

"And found her again She is in the power of one Count L'Estrange"

"And if in his power, pray, how have you found her?"

"Because we are both to meet in her presence within this very hour, and

she is to decide between us"

"Has Count L'Estrange promised you this?"

"He has"

"And you have no doubt what her decision will be?"

"Not the slightest"

"How came you to know she was carried off by this count?"

"He confessed it himself"

"Voluntarily?"

"No; I taxed him with it, and he owned to the deed; but he voluntarily

promised to take me to her and abide by her decision"

"Extraordinary!" said La Masque, as if to herself "Whiive her up no easily as this"