Page:The Lonesomest Doll.djvu/74

XIV

How Mignon Saved the Queen

Clotilde heard their gallop growing fainter and fainter along the road towards the Black Wood. But there were other sounds growing louder every minute. The hoofs of horses were striking sparks from the flint stones over which she and the rob­bers had recently passed, and they meant help, help! Mignon was saved, and they were both soon to be taken home! How Clotilde’s heart warmed at the anticipation.

But suddenly a dreadful thought came to her. It was very dark. What if the rescuers should pass them by in the blackness? The moon had gone under a cloud, and Clotilde lay helpless in the shadow beside the road, unable to move or cry out. If the riders did not stop, they two would have to lie here all night, and it was grow-

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