hand; it was cold and clammy. "Take care of yourself, my dear Lord," I

said.

Nay," said Perdita, "that task shall be mine. Return speedily,

Lionel." With an air of absence he was playing with her auburn locks, while

she leaned on him; twice I turned back, only to look again on this

matchless pair. At last, with slow and heavy steps, I had paced out of the

hall, and sprung upon my horse. At that moment Clara flew towards me;

clasping my knee she cried, "Make haste back, uncle! Dear uncle, I have

such fearful dreams; I dare not tell my mother. Do not be long away!" I

assured her of my impatience to return, and then, with a small escort rode

along the plain towards the tower of Marmora.

I fulfilled my commission; I saw Karazza. He was somewhat surprised; he

would see, he said, what could be done; but it required time; and Raymond

had ordered me to return by noon. It was impossible to effect any thing in

so short a time. I must stay till the next day; or come back, after having

reported the present state of things to the general. My choice was easily

made. A restlessness, a fear of what was about to betide, a doubt as to

Raymond's purposes, urged me to return without delay to his quarters.

Quitting the Seven Towers, I rode eastward towards the Sweet Waters. I took

a circuitous path, principally for the sake of going to the top of the

mount before mentioned, which commanded a view of the city. I had my glass

with me. The city basked under the noon-day sun, and the venerable walls

formed its picturesque boundary. Immediately before me was the Top Kapou,

the gate near which Mahomet had made the breach by which he entered the

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The Last Man