Page:German Stories (Volumes 2–3).djvu/419

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Chapter III.
229

Of the same spectre bride, there is another story, which I learned a few weeks ago, but I reserve it for another opportunity, as I have sufficiently monopolized this evening’s conversation.”

Just as he had thus concluded, and the party, though by no means inclined to believe all he had said, thanked him for the entertainment he had afforded, another member of the club suddenly entered the room, and whispered a few words to the Marquis, whose perfect composure contrasted very strangely with the fear and anxiety betrayed in the looks of the new-comer. “Make haste, I beseech you,” cried the latter, seeming out of all patience at his indifference; “otherwise within a few hours, perhaps minutes, you will miserably repent your delay.”—“I thank you for your kind interest in my concerns,” answered the other; but seemed as little inclined to move as before, though the whole party prepared to separate for the night. “Now then—mark my words—you are a lost man,” said his friend as an officer entered, attended by several followers, and inquired for the foreign Marquis, who immediately came forward and answered to his name. “You are my prisoner,” said the officer; and, without a moment’s hesitation,