De Poininges restored her to freedom; but
alas! she knew it not. The thick veil which Heaven's mercy drew upon her
spirit rendered her insensible to outward impressions. He raised her in
his arms, bearing her forth from that loathed scene of darkness and
disgrace; and when the pure breath of the skies once more blew upon her,
it seemed as though it awakened up a faint glimmer in the dying lamp.
She looked round with eagerness, and De Poininges thought some ray of
intelligence began to brighten, as objects again appeared to develop
their hidden trains of association on the memory; but the light was
mercifully extinguished ere she could discover the fearful realities of
her despair, and she again relapsed into hopeless and utter inanity.
They were still loitering in the little shed, the clerk groaning out a
sad and mournful chant. De Poininges appeared unable to arouse himself
to the exigencies of the moment, when Isabel, wildly waving her torch
towards the entrance, cried--
"To horse--to horse! They will be here presently. Already has the raven
snuffed your carcase--
"'But the bolt whistled through
The heavens blue,
And Sir Lionel lay on the battle-field.
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