actually commenced. He now levelled one of the
carbines at the head of the robber nearest to the door, who was busy
examining the effect which the discharge of the piece had made, and what
further obstacles intervened. The aim was true, and the man fell dead,
while the others started back with surprise at the unexpected
retaliation. But in a second or two a pistol was discharged at Philip,
who still remained leaning out of the casement, fortunately without
effect; and the next moment he felt himself drawn away, so as to be
protected from their fire. It was Amine, who, unknown to Philip, had
been standing by his side.

"You must not expose yourself, Philip," said she, in a low tone.

"She called me Philip," thought he, but made no reply.

"They will be watching for you at the casement now," said Amine. "Take
the other carbine, and go below in the passage. If the lock of the door
is blown off, they may put their arms in, perhaps, and remove the bars.
I do not think they can, but I'm not sure; at all events, it is there
you should now be, as there they will not expect you."

"You are right," replied Philip, going down.

"But you must not fire more than once there; if another fall, there will
be but two to deal with, and they cannot watch the casement and force
admittance too. Go--I will reload the carbine."

Philip descended softly and without a light. He went up to the door,
and perceived that one of the miscreants, with his arm through the hole
where the lock was blown off, was working at the upper iron bar, which
he could just reach. He presented his carbine, and was about to fire
the whole charge into the body of the man under his raised arm, when
there was a report of fire-arms from the robbers outside.

"Amine has exposed herself," thought Philip, "and may be hurt."

The desire of vengeance prompted him first to fire his piece through the
man's body, and then he flew up the stairs to ascertain the state of
Amine. She was not at the casement; he darted into the inner room, and
found her deliberately loading the carbine.

"My God! how you frightened me, Amine. I thought by their firing that
you had shown yourself at the window."

"Indeed I did not; but I thought that when you fired through the door
they might return your fire, and you be hurt; so I went to the side of
the casement and pushed out on a stick some of my father's clothes, and
they who were watching for you fired immediately."

"Indee