|After riding away from the exasperated Highlanders, Forster alighted
at the town-hall, and meeting Charles Radclyffe and Captain Shaftoe told
them what had happened.
“I believe Brigadier Mackintosh has ordered his Highlanders to shoot
me,” he said. “My life will not be safe.”
“Do not think it, general,” rejoined Charles Radclyffe. “The brigadier
is incapable of such an act. But you had better not expose yourself
while the negotiation for the surrender is going on.”
“I shall take care not to do so,” he replied. “I shall remain here for
an hour. I want to see Mrs. Scarisbrick.”
“Mrs. Scarisbrick!” exclaimed Charles Radclyffe. “Have you not heard?”
“Heard what?” exclaimed Forster, looking at him in surprise. “I have
heard nothing. I have not seen her this morning. I expected to find her
here.”
“She is here,” said Charles Radclyffe. “But I cannot explain. Come with
me and you shall know all.”
Not without a strange misgiving did Forster follow him along a passage
on the ground floor, at a door in which an elderly female was stationed.
“Here you will find her,” said Charles Radclyffe, in a strangely
significant tone.
“Impossible!” cried Forster.
“Yes, general, she is here,” remarked the old woman, opening the door.
“She has not been disturbed.”
The room was darkened, but there was light enough to discern a very
startling object.
It was the dead body of a very beautiful woman lying extended upon a
couch.
Her habiliments were those in which she had died, and her profuse
golden tresses were unbound, and scattered over her bosom where she had
received the deadly hurt.
Giving utterance to a cry, Forster rushed forward, and seizing her hand
pressed it to his lips.
“This completes my misery,” he cried. “In losing her I have lost all
that was dear to me, and I care not how soon I follow.”
“She deserved her fate,” said Charles Raclyffe. “She betrayed you and us
to the enemy. She was accidentally shot last night, while returning
from a secret visit to General Wills. I brought her here myself. I
found letters upon her which prove her guilt. I intended to conceal this
catastrophe from you--but it is better you should know it.”
“You affirm the truth of what you have just stated?” demanded Forster.
“In every particular,” rejoined Charles Radclyffe. “You were completely
duped by her.”
Forster dropped the hand he had hitherto held, and without a word
quitted the room.