Did I not tell you
that she had a heart of steel, even the same as that of her great
brother. I should not tell it to you, but she has never despaired since
you came."
John's fingers closed convulsively upon the large muscular hand of
Suzanne and in the darkness the woman's grim face relaxed into a smile.
"You are holding my hand not that of Mademoiselle Julie," she said.
"Your words bring me such joy, Suzanne, that I forgot, but I must speak
to your mistress."
"You cannot. It is impossible. She is watched more closely than ever."
"But there is news that she must know! Then you must tell it to her!"
"What news? You surely don't mean that they will try her on this
ridiculous charge of being a spy!"
"No, not that, Suzanne, but they're preparing to send her and you away."
"And glad we both will be to leave this hateful castle of Zillenstein."
"But it's not that you will fare better. There will be no chance of
freedom now. You are to be sent into the higher mountains in the
wilderness to a hunting lodge belonging to Auersperg. You will be hidden
from all but a few of his most trusted followers."
"Then we're not afraid. We shall even be glad to go there, anywhere from
this terrible place. We do not fear the woods, my mistress and I. I can
think they're more friendly than those old stone walls above us.
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