or to t

day long a pitiless sun had been beating down on the arid earth, with not one freshening breeze to tem

y along, and his fatigue was

d yards more and we shall be at home. Food and water, clean straw, and a s

pen; the villagers, men, women, and children sprawled listlessly in the c

r Edmond!" as if I were the last person they expected to see in my own home. Their strange glances, ha

men had congregated, while old Pierre himself stood in the doorway. They g

y voice, "is there any reason why it should not be Monsieur Edmond? Did you

ng to the castle

m!" I answered

and enter the inn. Things have h

lipped from the saddle, and, bidding the ostler take charge of the

"tell me the story quickly,

n in his quavering voice, "it is useless

onishment. "Well, go on with the sto

th. Then, one night, your father sent for me to the castle. He ordered me to watch for your return, and to tell you he had gon

trange new

t day the castle was deserted. And it was well he did not stay

asked a

w and looked out. There were more than two hundred of them marching through the village. On arriving

o to liste

illagers drawn up outside, and made them a grand speech. Had it not be

de the good

's enemies, and that his life was forfeit to the law. Any man was to shoot him like a dog. He said all this, monsieur,

have asked

dolt, with no more sense than one of my own ca

I went away; he left early

folk in the district; but he was an enemy to the Cause, and he did not carry away much inform

t put up here for the night. I am tired and hungry. Get me some supper and a

received timely warning, I trusted he had effected his escape, and that b

had not returned, told the landlord to inform him of what had happened.

denly been marked down for vengeance? He was a noted Huguenot, 'twas true, but he was not a leader such as Co

e reached her? Who was there at Le Blanc able and willing to betray our secrets? Not a soul, unle

, all evil, were related of him, and it was rumoured that he had long served as a useful tool to persons in high places. At least he had prospered exceedingly in some m

iers came, and he has not yet returned. He went hurriedly, after a

nd will go to bed. Get me an early breakfast, so that

schief was done, and I could not undo it. My father was a fugitive from his

long journey from Noyers had been both tedious and fatiguing. Pierr

asked the old man, as I vau

t I intend goin

e that the war

d when it is finished, the Sieur Le Blan

nsieur," said he ear

y to Tanlay. The fields were bare both of corn and of cattle; the villagers were starving; the people of

s, patrolled the streets, singing and shouting, and uttering threats of vengeance. Fearful of being mixed up in

or a peaceful traveller," I remarked t

times are evil. These miserable heretics disturb the whole country with

g granted them the privilege of

ir rights as soon as she has power enough. And it is said," here he lowered his voice to a co

d. "What is that?" for the sounds o

, and there is a little fighting, but that is all. One does n

y districts was nearly as hazardous. The peasants having no work, and being without food, had for

re being closed. The streets were filled with citizens and Huguenot soldiers, and i

g the people closely, on the chance of discovering a familiar face. In all my solitary wand

ved to dismount and to seek out Felix Bellièvre. Fortunately, he was within, and I received a

ss has not grown under your feet! I did not

inger around an empty n

I have been presented to your sister. Already I am a friend of the family! I will conduct you to the hou

e acquainted with my father?

nd made myself known as your friend. He was eager to hear news of you, and carried me off. I met your sister, and you will not be surprised t

essed by what

t; she is an invalid, and keeps strictly to her own rooms. Ah, here is one of the servants; let him attend to your animal, and I will

in his madcap way when a door open

ine gleaming through the dark clouds. Monsieur Bellièvre, you are

my mother, my hand clasped in hers, telling her the story of my adventures. Jeanne was ful

but even that was slight, as he was not seriously wounded, and from the hou

e next morning I had a long talk with my father on the subject. I told him what

pretensions to be considered our equal. He is in the pay of Monseigneur, and he has acted as a spy

led," I declared. "Jacques distrusted him from the first, and b

revented from fulfilling his mission. But to return to our ow

life is i

rious. As a traitor to the king, my estates are forfeit, and you will grow up to see another

h to know that any sign of sorrow would add to my father's unhappiness. So I looked straight into his eyes and sa

od bless and reward you for those brave words, my son," and