The Count of Monte Cristo

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were the only obstacles which appeared possible to the young man.

The idea that her strength had failed her in attempting to escape,
and that she had fainted in one of the paths, was the one that most
impressed itself upon his mind. "In that case," said he, "I should lose
her, and by my own fault." He dwelt on this idea for a moment, then it
appeared reality. He even thought he could perceive something on the
ground at a distance; he ventured to call, and it seemed to him that
the wind wafted back an almost inarticulate sigh. At last the half-hour
struck. It was impossible to wait longer, his temples throbbed
violently, his eyes were growing dim; he passed one leg over the wall,
and in a moment leaped down on the other side. He was on Villefort's
premises--had arrived there by scaling the wall. What might be the
consequences? However, he had not ventured thus far to draw back. He
followed a short distance close under the wall, then crossed a path, hid
entered a clump of trees. In a moment he had passed through them, and
could see the house distinctly. Then Morrel saw that he had been right