The foremost, who seemed to act as guide, immediately reined in his steed.

“ ’Tis she! ’Tis she!” exclaimed he, springing upon the ground; “Stop, my lord, stop! They are safe! ’Tis my mother!”

At the same moment Marguerite threw herself from her horse, clasped him in her arms, and covered him with kisses. The other cavaliers stopped at the exclamation.

“The Baroness Lindenberg?” cried another of the strangers eagerly; “Where is she? Is she not with you?”

He stopped on beholding her lying senseless in my arms. Hastily he caught her from me. The profound sleep in which she was plunged made him at first tremble for her life; but the beating of her heart soon reassured him.

“God be thanked!” said he; “She has escaped unhurt.”

I interrupted his joy by pointing out the brigands, who continued to approach. No sooner had I mentioned them than the greatest part of the company, which appeared to be chiefly composed of soldiers, hastened forward to meet them. The villains stayed not to receive their attack: perceiving their danger they turned the heads of their horses, and fled into the wood, whither they were followed by our preservers. In the mean while the stranger, whom I guessed to be the Baron Lindenberg, after thanking me for my care of his lady, proposed our returning with all speed to the town. The Baroness, on whom the effects of the opiate had not ceased to operate, was placed before him; Marguerite and her son remounted their horses; the Baron’s domestics followed, and we soon arrived at the inn, where he had taken his apartments.