“Monsieur de Kergy,” said I in a supplicating tone, “cease to look at the
fire around us. Lift up your eyes, and see how calm and beautiful the
night is above this terrible _inferno_.”
In fact, a bright moonlight was diffused over this terrific scene, and the
contrast between the earth and sky could not have been more striking.
Gilbert’s eyes followed mine, and remained for some time fastened on those
peaceful starry worlds, which seemed as far remote from the agitation of
our hearts as they were above this frightful convulsion of nature. I felt
in my soul the need of powerful assistance, and murmured in a low tone: “O
my God, have mercy on me!” with a fervor that for a long time I had not
felt in my prayers.
After a long silence, Gilbert said to me in a low, agitated tone:
“Will you pardon me, madame? Will you trust in me to take you away from
this place?”
“Yes, I trust you. But let us make haste to leave so dangerous a spot. Do
you not hear the frightful explosions? Do you not see the red‐hot stones
that are flying over our heads?...” And as I spoke a cloud of thick smoke
added obscurity to all the other horrors of the place.
“Do not be alarmed,” said Gilbert in a tone once more calm and decided.
“We must certainly hurry away, but there is no danger yet, unless from
fear. Give me your hand.”
But I hesitated when he endeavored to take it, and made an involuntary
movement, as if going to descend without his assistance.
“In the name of heaven,” said he rapidly, trembling with agitation and
terror, “do not refuse my assistance in the danger we are in. You cannot
do without it. You _must_ give me your hand, madame.”
His agitated voice became almost imperious. I gave him my hand, and even
complied when he told me to rest the other firmly against his shoulder.
“Now,” said he, “descend carefully. You need not be afraid. I will support
you. In spite of this whirlwind of fire and smoke, I can clearly
distinguish my way.”
He made no further observations, as we slowly descended; and as soon as we
were in a place of safety, I left him, and leaned against a tree at some
distance, trying to get breath. Besides the violent agitation of my heart,
the suffocating air that surrounded us gave me a feeling of giddiness and
faintness that was almost overpowering.