longed to get right quit of all men; among whom, as it seemed, all
sacredest things even were made a mock of. I looked about me fiercely, I
sprang forward, and clutched a sword from the gilded belt of one of those
who stood near me; with savage blows that threw the blood about the
gilded walls and their hangings right over the heads of those--things--I
cleared myself from them, and tore down the great stairs madly, yet could
not, as in a dream, go fast enough, because of my passion.

I was out in the courtyard, among the lime trees soon, the north wind
blowing freshly on my heated forehead in that dawn. The outer gate was
locked and bolted; I stooped and raised a great stone and sent it at the
lock with all my strength, and I was stronger than ten men then; iron and
oak gave way before it, and through the ragged splinters I tore in
reckless fury, like a wild horse through a hazel hedge.

And no one had pursued me. I knelt down on the dear green turf outside,
and thanked God with streaming eyes for my deliverance, praying him
forgiveness for my unwilling share in that night's mockery.

Then I arose and turned to go, but even as I did so I heard a roar as if
the world were coming in two, and looking toward the castle, saw, not a
castle, but a great cloud of white lime-dust swaying this way and that in
the gusts of the wind.

Then while the east grew bright there arose a hissing, gurgling noise,
that swelled into the roar and wash of many waters, and by then the sun
had risen a deep black lake lay before my feet.

* * * * *