ine's quick ears caught a sound as of
some fastening giving way. With a cry of horror, she sprang to the bed,
flung her arms around the countess, and dragged her from it just as the
heavy ornament fell!

Madeleine's piercing cry, and Bertha's shriek summoned not only Mrs.
Lawkins, who was sitting in the adjoining chamber, but Maurice and
Gaston. The curtains partially concealed the bed and the two who lay
prostrate beside it; the white, haggard, terrified countenance of Madame
de Gramont was alone visible. As Mrs. Lawkins endeavored to extricate
her from the folds of the curtain, Maurice and Gaston removed the fallen
arrow to which the drapery was still attached. Afterwards Gaston, who
was nearest to Mrs. Lawkins, assisted her in raising the helpless
countess and placing her upon the bed. Then the form of Madeleine became
visible. She was stretched upon the ground motionless and senseless; her
beautiful hair, loosened by her fall, enveloped her like a veil, and
wholly concealed her face. What a groan of agony burst from Maurice as
he knelt beside her and swept away the shrouding tresses! They were wet,
and the hands that touched them became scarlet. The outermost edge of
the arrow had struck Madeleine's head, inflicting a deep gash, and, as
it fell, tore her dress the whole length of her left shoulder and arm,
making another wound which bled profusely.

Maurice was so completely stupefied with horror that he had scarcely
power to lift her light form.

"Here! here! place her here!" cried Mrs. Lawkins; "don't stir her any
more than possible."

Maurice mechanically obeyed and laid Madeleine upon the same bed which
bore the countess.

The nurse was the only one whose presence of mind had not completely
departed, and she hurried from the room to send for medical assistance.

Maurice, as he clasped Madeleine in his arms, groaned out, "She is
killed! she is dead! Oh, my Madeleine, my Madeleine! are you gone?
Madeleine! Madeleine!"

Madeleine gave no sign of life, though the blood still flowed.

Mrs. Lawkins, who had returned, tried to force him away--entreated him
to let her approach Madeleine, that she might bind up her head and
stanch the blood; but he did not hear, or heed,--he was lost in grief.
M. de Bois also appealed to him, but in vain; then Gaston attempted to
use force to recall him to reason, and, seizing both of Maurice's arms,
essayed to unclasp them from their hold of the inanimate form, saying as
he di