Charles Dickens]

THE LITTLE FLOWER.

395

and guessed that in the gloom the shots from
the enemy could not have taken effect.
MIichal rose, and taking Floriora by the hand,
led her cautiously along the water's edge,
round the end of the point.

"Now," said he, "the plain behind is full
of people, and we cannot cross it without being
seen. Some of my friends would let us
escape; others, more selfish, would delay us.
Can you swim again, down stream, with your
hand on my shoulder?"

She answered that she could, submitting
herself implicitly to the faith of the stranger
who had saved her, and tacitly accepting his
sacrifices, perhaps because she knew she could
reward them. They dipped noiselessly into
the stream, and in a leisurely manner began
to cross. The passage was effected without
difficulty, and on emerging, they found themselves
many hundred yards below the extreme
limit of the camp, the position of which could
only be distinguished by a mass of smoke,
reflecting a dull red glow. Their difficulties
were, however, not yet over; the estates
of the Lord Bibiano stretched all along that
part of the river, "far, far away," said Floriora,
and it would be impossible to traverse them
during the night. She knew, however, a
village of her own people, where she might
perhaps hide in safety. But Michal, who
probably knew that the Zigans were not
always faithful one to the other, said that he
preferred hiding in the woods. They accordingly
proceeded for some distance—all night
long, indeed—and, as the dawn began to
whiten the east, hid themselves in a thick
mass of trees to pass the day.

When the sun had risen, Floriora saw
with some terror that they were not far from
the country villa of her lord; but Michal told
her this was the place where their pursuers
would be least likely to look for them. And
in truth they spent the day on the edge of a
little glade in the forest, without seeing any
living thing, save a few birds, a squirrel on
the tree, and some bright green lizards.
Michal, as soon as it was light, contemplated
Floriora with amazement. Her beauty
seemed to increase as the morning broke
more cheerily through the trees; and when
the sun suddenly darted a sheaf of golden
beams through a cleft in the branchy canopy
upon this maiden companion of his, he
could scarcely refrain from uttering a cry
of wonder. She was small indeed as a child,
and delicately formed, but had evidently
attained the age when young girls, as they go
down to the springs, look furtively over their
shoulders to know if they are followed from
afar off. Michal computed the relative
value of the treasure he had lost and the
treasure he had gained, and found that he
was a richer man than on the previous eve.
Some will wonder that he should thus at
once assume a right of property over the
maiden whose life he liad saved; but he knew
the power of gratitude by the experience of
his own heart; and, besides, was there not
something in the artless look of admiration
which Floriora now and then cast up at
his countenance, that told what form her
thoughts were takin? One question he
asked to satisfy himself, in a low voice, as he
sat looking down attentively at a blade of
grass that was shining in a speck of sunlight:
''Has Floriora left any one behind in the
village whom she regrets?"

"My father," she replied with emphasis,
"is grieving over my loss, and will rejoice to
hear of my safety."

This was enough; and though all was
doubt and uncertainty for the morrow, their
happy hearts throbbed all day long in the
embowered recesses of the forest.

Floriora did not remain inactive all the
time; but moved here and there gathering
nutritious berries and digging up cool
fresh roots from the earth. Michal did
not like the look of these at first; but she
bit pieces off them, and said laughing, in
allusion to "the cup of black coffee," which
sends so many great men out of the world:
"I will be your taster." Thus the day wore on;
and, when night came, the fugitives continued
their journey, taking a northerly direction.
Michal had formed a plan for his future life.

On the morning of the fourth day they
reached a mountainous country, and soon
entered a deep and gloomy glen with which
Michal seemed well acquainted. Advancing
a little in front of Floriora he came to a cave,
where, standing on one side with the girl
pressed close to him, he cried: " Leak!
Lenk! Come out and surrender."

A bullet whistled past; and a roar as if a
cannon had been fired within, rolled forth.

"Ha! Lenk," again cried Michal, looking
shrewd. "If this had been the patrol, what
would have been the use of firing before
your eyes were open?"

"I have three more charges ready," replied
a gruff voice from the interior; "and though
you have caught me napping, it would be a
hard matter to take me. But I think I
know that voice. Is it Michal, playing his
foolish jokes?"

"No other."

"Stand out in the light and let me see you."

"I shall make a good mark," said Michal,
advancing fearlessly from his cover, whilst
Floriora, trembling with terror, endeavoured
to restrain him.

Presently the voice from within expressed
satisfaction, but wanted to know who the
woman was.

"My wife!" said Michal, boldly; and
Floriora, though trembling with surprise and
pleasure, remained silent.

Presently they entered the cavern, and
the newly-betrothed maiden saw indeed
that the robber Lenk's boast that he
could not easily be taken was well founded.
When they had advanced a few paces and
her eyes had become accustomed to the