roaned Dacres. But a minute before he had
been cursing her.

"Get a knife! Get something, man! Have a fight for it!"

Dacres murmured something.

Hawbury lashed the horses, and drove them straight toward the wood.

CHAPTER XXIII.

CAUGHT IN AMBUSH.

The ladies had been driving on, quite unconscious of the neighborhood
of any danger, admiring the beauty of the scenery, and calling one
another's attention to the various objects of interest which from time
to time became visible. Thus engaged, they slowly ascended the incline
already spoken of, and began to enter the forest. They had not gone
far when the road took a sudden turn, and here a startling spectacle
burst upon their view.

The road on turning descended slightly into a hollow. On the right
arose a steep acclivity, covered with the dense forest. On the other
side the ground rose more gradually, and was covered over by a forest
much less dense. Some distance in front the road took another turn,
and was lost to view among the trees. About a hundred yards in front
of them a tree had been felled, and lay across the way, barring their
progress.

About twenty armed men stood before them close by the place where the
turn was. Among them was a man on horseback. To their amazement, it
was Girasole.

Before the ladies could recover from their astonishment two of the
armed men advanced, and the driver at once stopped the carriage.

Girasole then came forward.

"Miladi," said he, "I haf de honore of to invitar you to descend."

"Pray what is the meaning of this?" inquired Lady Dalrymple, with much
agitation.

"It means dat I war wrong. Dere are brigand on dis road."

Lady Dalrymple said not another word.

The Count approached, and politely offered his hand to assist the
ladies out, but they rejected it, and got out themselves. First Mrs.
Willoughby, then Ethel, then Lady Dalrymple, then Minnie. Three of the
ladies were white with utter horror, and looked around in sickening
fear upon the armed men; but Minnie showed not even the slightest
particle of fear.

"How horrid!" she exclaimed. "And now some one will come and save my
life again. It's _always_ the way. I'm sure _this_ isn't my fault,
Kitty darling."

Before her sister could say any thing Girasole approached.

"Pardon, mees," he said; "but I haf made dis recepzion for you. You
sall be well treat. Do not fear. I lay down my life."

"Villain!" cried Lady Dalrymple. "Arrest her at your per