第5章

Allwasblurr，hurry，confusion，tumult。YetIremember，aswepressedonwardswiththestreamandpartofit，certainsharpoutlines。Icaughthereandthereaglimpseofapalescaredfaceatawindow，ahalf—cladformatadoor，ofthebig，wonderingeyesofachildhelduptoseeuspass，ofaChristatacornerruddyinthesmokyglareofalink，ofawomanarmed，andinman’sclothes，whowalkedsomedistancesidebysidewithus，andledoffaribaldsong。Iretainamemoryofthesethings：ofbriefburstsoflightandlongintervalsofdarkness，andalways，aswetrampedforwards，myhandonPavannes’sleeve，ofanever—growingtumultinfront——anever—risingfloodofnoise。

Atlastwecametoastandstillwhereasidestreetranoutofours。Intothisthehurryingthrongtriedtowheel，and，unabletodoso，halted，andpressedabouttheheadofthestreet，whichwasalreadyfulltooverflowing;andsosoughtwithhungryeyesforplaceswhencetheymightlookdownit。PavannesandI

struggledonlytogetthroughthecrowd——togeton;buttheeffortsofthosebehindpartlyaidingandpartlythwartingourown，presentlyforcedustoapositionwhencewecouldnotavoidseeingwhatwasafoot。

Thestreet——thissidestreetwasablazewithlight。Fromendtoendeverygable，everyhatchmentwasglowing，everywindowwasflickeringintheglareoftorches。Itwaspavedtoowithfaces——humanfaces，yetscarcelyhuman——alllookingoneway，alllookingupward;andthenoise，asfromtimetotimethisimmensecrowdgroanedorhowledinunison，likeawildbeastinitsfury，wassoappalling，thatIclutchedPavannes’armandclungtohiminmomentaryterror。IdonotwondernowthatIquailed，thoughsometimesIhaveheardthatsoundsince。ForthereisnothingintheworldsodreadfulasthatbrutebeastwecalltheCANAILLE，whenthechainisoffanditscowardlysoulisroused。

Nearourendofthestreetagroupofhorsemenrisingisland—likefromtheseaofheads，satmotionlessintheirsaddlesaboutagateway。Theyweresilent，takingnonoticeoftheriotingfiendsshoutingattheirgirths，butwatchingingrimquietwhatwaspassingwithinthegates。Theywerehandsomelydressed，althoughsomeworecorsletsovertheirsatincoatsorlaceabovebuffjerkins。Icouldevenatthatdistanceseethejewelsgleaminthebonnetofonewhoseemedtobetheirleader。Hewasinthecentreoftheband，averyyoungman，perhapstwentyortwenty—one，ofmostsplendidpresence，sittinghishorsesuperbly。Heworeagreyriding—coat，andwasaheadtallerthananyofhiscompanions。Therewasprideintheveryairwithwhichhishorseborehim。

IdidnotneedtoaskPavanneswhohewas。IKNEWthathewastheDukeofGuise，andthatthehousebeforewhichhestoodwasColigny’s。Iknewwhatwasbeingdonethere。AndinthesamemomentIsickenedwithhorrorandrage。Ihadavisionofgreyhairsandbloodandfuryscarcelyhuman，AndIrebelled。I

battledwiththerabbleaboutme。IforcedmywaythroughthemtoothandnailafterPavannes，intentonlyonescaping，onlyongettingawayfromthere。Andsoweneitherhaltednorlookedbackuntilwewereclearofthecrowdandhadlefttheblazeoflightandtheworkdoingbyitsomewaybehindus。

Wefoundourselvestheninthemouthofanobscurealleywhichmycompanionwhisperedwouldbringustohishouse;andherewepausedtotakebreathandlookback。Theskywasredbehindus，theairfulloftheclashanddinofthetocsin，andthefloodofsoundswhichpouredfromeverytowerandsteeple。Fromtheeastwardcametherattleofdrumsandrandomshots，andshrieksof"ABASCOLIGNY！""ABASLESHUGUENOTS！"Meanwhilethecitywasrisingasoneman，paleatthisdreadawakening。Fromeverywindowmenandwomen，frightenedbytheuproar，werecraningtheirnecks，askingoransweringquestionsorhurriedlycallingforandkindlingtapers。Butasyetthegeneralpopulaceseemedtobetakingnoactivepartinthedisorder。

Pavannesraisedhishataninstantaswestoodintheshadowofthehouses。"ThenoblestmaninFranceisdead，"hesaid，softlyandreverently。"Godresthissoul！Theyhavehadtheirwaywithhimandkilledhimlikeadog。Hewasanoldmanandtheydidnotsparehim！Anoble，andtheyhavecalledintheCANAILLE

totearhim。Butbesure，myfriend"——andasthespeaker’stonechangedandgrewfullandproud，hisformseemedtoswellwithit——"besurethecruelshallnotliveouthalftheirdays！No。

Hethattakestheknifeshallperishbytheknife！Andgotohisownplace！Ishallnotseeit，butyouwill！"

Hiswordsmadenogreatimpressiononmethen。Myhardihoodwasreturning。Iwasthrobbingwithfierceexcitement，andtinglingforthefight。Butyearsafterwards，whenthetwowhostoodhighestinthegroupaboutColigny’sthresholddied，theoneatthirty—eight，theotheratthirty—five——whenHenryofGuiseandHenryofValoisdiedwithinsixmonthsofoneanotherbytheassassin’sknife——IrememberedPavannes’augury。Andrememberingit，IreadthewaysofProvidence，andsawthattheveryaudacityofwhichGuisetookadvantagetoentrapColignyledhimtooinhisturntotripsmilingandbowing，acomfitboxinhishandandthekissesofhismistressdamponhislips，intoaking’scloset——aking’sclosetatBlois！Ledhimtoliftthecurtain——

ah！toliftthecurtain，whatFrenchmandoesnotknowthetale？

——behindwhichstoodtheAdmiral！

Toreturntoourownfortunes;afterahurriedglanceweresumedourway，andspedthroughthealley，holdingabriefconsultationaswewent。Pavannes’firsthastyinstincttoseekshelterathomebegantoloseitsforce，andhetoconsiderwhetherhisreturnwouldnotendangerhiswife。Themobmightbeexpectedtospareher，heargued。Herdeathwouldnotbenefitanyprivatefoesifheescaped。Hewasforkeepingawaytherefore。ButI

wouldnotagreetothis。Thepriest’screwofdesperadoes——

assumingPavannes’suspicionstobecorrect——wouldwaitsometime，nodoubt，togivethemasterofthehouseachancetoreturn，butwouldcertainlyattacksoonerorlateroutofgreed，iffromnoothermotive。Thenthelady’sfatewouldatthebestbeuncertain。Iwasanxiousmyselftorejoinmybrothers，andtakeallfuturechances，whetherofsavingourLouis，orescapingourselves，withthem。Unitedweshouldbefourgoodswords，andmightatleastprotectMadamedePavannestoaplaceofsafety，ifnoopportunityofsuccouringLouisshouldpresentitself。WehadtootheDuke’sring，andthismightbeofserviceatapinch。

"No，"Iurged，"letusgettogether。Wetwowillslipinatthefrontgate，andboltandbarit，andthenwewillallescapeinabodyattheback，whiletheyareforcingthegateway。"

"Thereisnodoorattheback，"heanswered，shakinghishead。

"Therearewindows？"

"Theyaretoostronglybarred。Wecouldnotbreakoutinthetime，"heexplained，withagroan。

Ipausedatthat，crestfallen。Butdangerquickenedmywits。InamomentIhadanotherplan，notsohopefulandmoredangerous，yetworthtryingIthought，Itoldhimofit，andheagreedtoit。Ashenoddedassentweemergedintoastreet，andIsaw——forthegreylightofmorningwasbeginningtopenetratebetweenthehouses——thatwewereonlyafewyardsfromthegateway，andthesmalldoorbywhichIhadseenmybrothersenter。Weretheystillinthehouse？Weretheysafe？Ihadbeenawayanhouratleast。

AnxiousasIwasaboutthem，Ilookedroundmeverykeenlyasweflittedacrosstheroad，andknockedgentlyatthedoor。I

thoughtitsolikelythatweshouldbefallenuponhere，thatI

stoodonmyguardwhilewewaited。Butwewerenotmolested。

Thestreet，beingatsomedistancefromthecentreofthecommotion，wasstillandempty，withnosignsoflifeapparentexcepttherowsofheadspokedthroughthewindows——allpossessingeyeswhichwatchedusheedfullyandinperfectsilence。Yes，thestreetwasquiteempty：except，ah！except，forthatlurkingfigure，which，evenasIespiedit，shotroundadistantangleofthewall，andwaslosttosight。

"There！"Icried，recklessnowwhomighthearme，"knock！knocklouder！nevermindthenoise。Thealarmisgiven。Ascoreofpeoplearewatchingus，andyonderspyhasgoneofftosummonhisfriends。"

Thetruthwasmyangerwasrising。Icouldbearnolongerthesilentregardsofallthoseeyesatthewindows。Iwrithedunderthem——cruel，pitilesseyestheywere。Ireadinthemamorbidcuriosity，apatientanticipationthatdrovemewild。Thosemenandwomengazingonussostonilyknewmycompanion’srankandfaith。Theyhadwatchedhimridinginandoutdaily，oneofthesightsoftheirstreet，gayandgallant;andnowwiththesameeyestheywerewatchinggreedilyforthebutcherstocome。Theverychildrentookafreshinterestinhim，asonedoomedanddying;andwaitedpantingfortheshowtobegin。SoIreadthem。

"Knock！"Irepeatedangrily，losingallpatience。HadIbeenfoolishinbringinghimbacktothispartofthetownwhereeverysoulknewhim？"Knock;wemustgetin，whetherorno。Theycannotallhaveleftthehouse！"

Ikickedthedoordesperately，andmyreliefwasgreatwhenitopened。Aservantwithapalefacestoodbeforeme，hiskneesvisiblyshaking。AndbehindhimwasCroisette。

Ithinkwefellstraightwayintooneanother’sarms。

"AndMarie，"Icried，"Marie？"

"Marieiswithin，andmadame，"heansweredjoyfully;"wearetogetheragainandnothingmatters，Butoh，Anne，wherehaveyoubeen？Andwhatisthematter？Isitagreatfire？Oristhekingdead？Orwhatisit？"

Itoldhim。Ihastilypouredoutsomeofthethingswhichhadhappenedtome，andsomewhichIfearedwereinstoreforothers。

Naturallyhewassurprisedandshockedbythelatter，thoughhisfearshadalreadybeenaroused。Buthisjoyandrelief，whenheheardthemysteryofLouisdePavannes’marriageexplained，weresogreatthattheyswallowedupallotherfeelings。Hecouldnotsayenoughaboutit。HepicturedLouisagainandagainasKit’slover，asouroldfriend，ourcompanion;astrue，staunch，bravewithoutfear，withoutreproach：anditwaslongbeforehiseyesceasedtosparkle，histonguetorunmerrily，thecolourtomantleinhischeeks——longthatisastimeiscountedbyminutes。

ButpresentlytheremembranceofLouis’dangerandourownpositionreturnedmorevividly。Ourplanforrescuinghimhadfailed——failed！

"No！no！"criedCroisette，stoutly。Hewouldnothearofit。

Hewouldnothaveitatanyprice。"No，wewillnotgiveuphope！Wewillgoshouldertoshoulderandfindhim。Louisisasbraveasalionandasquickasaweasel。Wewillfindhimintimeyet。Wewillgowhen——Imeanassoonas——"

Hefaltered，andpaused。Hissuddensilenceashelookedroundtheemptyforecourtinwhichwestoodwaseloquent。Thecoldlight，faintanduncertainyet，wasstealingintothecourt，disclosingarowofstablesoneitherside，andatinyporter’shutchbythegates，andfrontingusanoblehouseoffourstorys，tall，grey，grim—looking。

Iassented;gloomilyhowever。"Yes，"Isaid，"wewillgowhen——"

AndItoostopped。Thesamethoughtwasinmymind。Howcouldweleavethesepeople？Howcouldweleavemadameinherdangeranddistress？Howcouldwereturnherkindnessbydesertion？Wecouldnot。No，notforKit’ssake。BecauseafterallLouis，ourLouis，wasaman，andmusttakehischance。Hemusttakehischance。ButIgroaned。

Sothatwassettled。IhadalreadyexplainedourplantoCroisette：andnowaswewaitedhebegantotellmeastory，along，confusedstoryaboutMadamed’O。Ithoughthewastalkingforthesakeoftalking——tokeepupourspirits——andIdidnotattendmuchtohim;sothathehadnotreachedthegistofit，oratleastIhadnotgraspedit，whenanoisewithoutstayedhistongue。Itwasthetrampoffootsteps，apparentlyofalargepartyinthestreet。Itforcedhimtobreakoff，andpromptlydroveusalltoourposts。

Butbeforeweseparatedaslightfigure，hardlynoticeableinthatdim，uncertainlight，passedmequickly，layingforaninstantasofthandinmineasIstoodwaitingbythegates。I

havesaidIscarcelysawthefigure，thoughIdidseethekindtimideyes，andthepalecheeksunderthehood;butIbentoverthehandandkissedit，andfelt，truthtotell，nomoreregretnordoubtwhereourdutylay。Butstood，waitingpatiently。

CHAPTERIX。

THEHEADOFERASMUS。

Waiting，andwaitingalone！Thegateswerealmostdownnow。Thegangofruffianswithout，reinforcedeachmomentbyvolunteerseagerforplunder，rainedblowsunceasinglyonhingeandsocket;

andstillhotterandfasterthroughadozenriftsinthetimberscamethefireoftheirthreatsandcurses。Manygrewtired，butothersreplacedthem。Toolsbroke，buttheybroughtmoreandworkedwithsavageenergy。Theyhadshownatfirstameasureofprudence;lookingtobefiredon，andtoberesistedbymen，surprised，indeed，butdesperate;andthebolderofthemonlyhadadvanced。Butnowtheypressedroundunchecked，meetingnoresistance。Theywouldscarcelystandbacktoletthesledgeshaveswing;buthallooedandraninonthecreakingbeamsandbeatthemwiththeirfists，wheneverthegatesswayedunderablow。

Onestoutironbarstillhelditsplace。AndthisIwatchedasiffascinated。Iwasaloneintheemptycourtyard，standingalittleaside，shelteredbyoneofthestonepillarsfromwhichthegateshung。Behindmethedoorofthehousestoodajar。

Candles，whichthedaylightrenderedgarish，stillburnedintheroomsonthefirstfloor，ofwhichthetallnarrowwindowswereopen。OnthewidestonesillofoneofthesestoodCroisette，aboyishfigure，lookingsilentlydownatme，hishandonthelatticedshutter。Helookedpale，andInoddedandsmiledathim。Ifeltratherangerthanfearmyself;remembering，asthefiendishcrieshalf—deafenedme，oldtalesoftheJacquerieanditsdoings，andhowwehadtroddenitout。

Suddenlythedinandtumultflashedtoaloudernote;aswhenhoundsonthescentgivetongueatsight。Iturnedquicklyfromthehouse，recalledtoasenseofthepositionandperil。Theironbarwasyieldingtothepressure。Slowlytheleftwingofthegatewassinkinginwards。ThroughthewideningchasmI

caughtaglimpseofwild，grimyfacesandbloodshoteyes，andheardabovethenoiseasharpcryfromCroisette——acryofterror。ThenIturnedandran，withadefiantgestureandanansweringyell，rightacrosstheforecourtandupthestepstothedoor。

Iranthefasterforthesharpreportofapistolbehindme，andthewhirrofaballpastmyear。ButIwasnotscaredbyit：

andasmyfeetalightedwithaboundonthetopmoststep，I

glancedback。Thedogswerehalfwayacrossthecourt。Imadeabunglingattempttoshutandlockthegreatdoor——failedinthis;

andheardbehindmearoarofcoarsetriumph。Iwaitedfornomore。Idarteduptheoakstaircasefourstepsatatime，andrushedintothegreatdrawing—roomonmyleft，bangingthedoorbehindme。

Theoncesplendidroomwasinastateofstrangedisorder。Someoftherichtapestryhadbeenhastilytorndown。Onewindowwasclosedandshuttered;nodoubtCroisettehaddoneit。Theothertwowereopen——asiftherehadnotbeentimetoclosethem——andthecoldlightwhichtheyadmittedcontrastedinghastlyfashionwiththeyellowraysofcandlesstillburninginthesconces。

Thefurniturehadbeenhuddledasideorpiledintoabarricade，aCHEVAUXDEFRISEofchairsandtablesstretchingacrossthewidthoftheroom，itsintersticesstuffedwith，anditsweaknesspartlyscreenedby，thetorn—downhangings。Behindthisfraildefencetheirbackstoadoorwhichseemedtoleadtoaninnerroom，stoodMarieandCroisette，paleanddefiant。Theformerhadalongpike;thelatterlevelledaheavy，bell—mouthedarquebuseacrossthebackofachair，andblewuphismatchasI

entered。Bothhadinadditionprocuredswords。Idartedlikearabbitthroughalittletunnelleftonpurposeformeintherampart，andtookmystandbythem。

"Isallright？"ejaculatedCroisetteturningtomenervously。

"Allright，Ithink，"Ianswered。Iwasbreathless。

"Youarenothurt？"

"Nottouched！"

Ihadjusttimethentodrawmyswordbeforetheassailantsstreamedintotheroom，adozenruffians，reekingandtattered，withflushedfacesandgreedy，staringeyes。Onceinside，however，suddenly——sosuddenlythatanidlespectatormighthavefoundthechangeludicrous——theycametoastop。Theirwildcriesceased，andtumblingoveroneanotherwithcursesandoathstheyhalted，surveyingusinmuddledsurprise;seeingwhatwasbeforethem，andnotlikingit。Theirleaderappearedtobeatallbutcherwithapole—axeonhishalf—nakedshoulder;buttherewereamongthemtwoorthreesoldiersintheroyalliveryandcarryingpikes。Theyhadlookedforvictimsonly，havingmetwithnoresistanceatthegate，andtheforemostrecoilednowonfindingthemselvesconfrontedbythemuzzleofthearquebuseandthelightedmatch。

Iseizedtheoccasion。Iknew，indeed，thatthepausepresentedouronlychance，andIsprangonachairandwavedmyhandforsilence。Theinstinctofobedienceforthemomentasserteditself;therewasastillnessintheroom。

"Beware！"Icriedloudly——asloudlyandconfidentlyasIcould，consideringthattherewasaquaveratmyheartasIlookedonthosesavagefaces，whichmetandyetavoidedmyeye。"Bewareofwhatyoudo！WeareCatholicsoneandalllikeyourselves，andgoodsonsoftheChurch。Ay，andgoodsubjectstoo！VIVELE

ROI，gentlemen！GodsavetheKing！Isay。"AndIstruckthebarricadewithmysworduntilthemetalrangagain。"GodsavetheKing！"

"CryVIVELAMESSE！"shoutedone。

"Certainly，gentlemen！"Ireplied，withpoliteness。"Withallmyheart。VIVELAMESSE！VIVELAMESSE！"

Thistookthebutcher，wholuckilywasstillsober，utterlyaback。Hehadneverthoughtofthis。Hestaredatusasiftheoxhehadbeenabouttofellhadopeneditsmouthandspoken，andgrievouslyataloss，helookedforhelptohiscompanions。

Laterintheday，someCatholicswerekilledbythemob。Buttheirdeathsasfarascouldbelearnedafterwardswereduetoprivatefeuds。Saveinsuchcases——andtheywerefew——thecryofVIVELAMESSE！alwaysobtainedatleastarespite：moreeasilyofcourseintheearlierhoursofthemorningwhenthemobwerescarceateaseintheirlibertytokill，whilekillingstillseemedmurder，andmenwerenotyetdrunkwithbloodshed。

Ireadthehesitationofthegangintheirfaces：andwhenoneaskedroughlywhowewere，Irepliedwithgreaterboldness，"IamM。AnnedeCaylus，nephewtotheVicomtedeCaylus，Governor，undertheKing，ofBayonneandtheLandes！"ThisIsaidwithwhatmajestyIcould。"Andthese"Icontinued——"aremybrothers。

Youwillharmusatyourperil，gentlemen。TheVicomte，believeme，willavengeeveryhairofourheads。"

Icanshutmyeyesnowandseethestupidwonder，thebaulkedferocityofthosegapingfaces。Dullandsavageasthemenweretheywereimpressed;theysawreasonindeed，andallseemedgoingwellforuswhensomeoneintherearshouted，"Cursedwhelps！

Throwthemover！"

Ilookedswiftlyinthedirectionwhencethevoicecame——thedarkestcorneroftheroomthecornerbytheshutteredwindow。I

thoughtImadeoutaslenderfigure，cloakedandmasked——awoman’sitmightbebutIcouldnotbecertainandbesideitacoupleofsturdyfellows，whokeptapartfromtheherdandwellbehindtheirfugleman。

Thespeaker’scouragearosenodoubtfromhispositionatthebackoftheroom，fortheforemostoftheassailantsseemedlessdetermined。Wewereonlythree，andwemusthavegonedown，barricadeandall，beforearush。Butthreearethree。Andanarquebuse——Croisette’smatchburnedsplendidly——wellloadedwithslugsisanuglyweaponatfivepaces，andmakesnastywounds，besidesscatteringitschargefamously。This，agoodmanyofthemandtheleadersinparticular，seemedtorecognise。Wemightcertainlytaketwoorthreelives：andlifeisvaluabletoitsownerwhenplunderisafoot。BesidesmostofthemhadcommonsenseenoughtorememberthattherewerescoresofHuguenots——genuineheretics——toberobbedforthekilling，sowhygooutoftheway，theyreasoned，tocutaCatholicthroat，andperhapsgetintotrouble。WhyriskMontfauconforawhim？andoffendamanofinfluenceliketheVicomtedeCaylus，fornothing！

Unfortunatelyatthiscrisistheiroriginaldesignwasrecalledtotheirmindsbythesamevoicebehind，cryingout，"Pavannes！

WhereisPavannes？"

"Ay！"shoutedthebutcher，graspingtheidea，andatthesametimespittingonhishandsandtakingafreshgripoftheaxe，"Showusthehereticdog，andgo！Letusathim。"

"M。dePavannes，"Isaidcoolly——butIcouldnottakemyeyesofftheshiningbladeofthatman’saxe，itwassoverybroadandsharp——"isnothere！"

"Thatisalie！Heisinthatroombehindyou！"theprudentgentlemaninthebackgroundcalledout。"Givehimup！"

"Ay，givehimup！"echoedthemanofthepole—axealmostgoodhumouredly，"oritwillbetheworseforyou。Letushaveathimandgetyougone！"

Thiswithanairofmuchreason，whileagrowlasofachainedbeastranthroughthecrowd，mingledwithcriesof"AMORTLES

HUGUENOTS！VIVELORRAINE！"——crieswhichseemedtoshowthatalldidnotapproveoftheindulgenceofferedus。

"Beware，gentlemen，beware，"Iurged，"Iswearheisnothere！I

swearit，doyouhear？"

Ahowlofimpatienceandthenasuddenmovementofthecrowdasthoughtherushwerecomingwarnedmetotemporizenolonger。

"Stay！Stay！"Iaddedhastily。"Oneminute！Hearme！Youaretoomanyforus。Willyousweartoletusgosafeanduntouched，ifwegiveyoupassage？"

Adozenvoicesshriekedassent。ButIlookedatthebutcheronly。Heseemedtobeanhonestman，outofhisprofession。

"Ay，Iswearit！"hecriedwithanod。

"BytheMass？"

"BytheMass。"

ItwitchedCroisette’ssleeve，andhetorethefusefromhisweapon，andflungthegun——tooheavytobeofusetouslonger——

totheground。Itwasdoneinamoment。Whilethemobsweptoverthebarricade，andsmashedtherichfurnitureofitinwantonmalice，wefiledaside，andnimblyslippedunderitonebyone。Thenwehurriedinsinglefiletotheendoftheroom，noonetakingmuchnoticeofus。Allwerepressingon，intentontheirprey。Wegainedthedoorasthebutcherstruckhisfirstblowonthatwhichwehadguarded——onthatwhichwehadgivenup。

Wesprangdownthestairswithboundinghearts，heardaswereachedtheouterdoortheroarofmanyvoices，butstayednottolookbehind——pausedindeedfornothing。Fear，tospeakcandidly，lentuswings。Inthreesecondswehadleapttheprostrategates，andwereinthestreet。Acripple，twoorthreedogs，aknotofwomenlookingtimidlyyetcuriouslyin，ahorsetetheredtothestaple——wesawnothingelse。Noonestayedus。Nooneraisedahand，andinanotherminutewehadturnedacorner，andwereoutofsightofthehouse。

"Theywilltakeagentleman’swordanothertime，"IsaidwithaquietsmileasIputupmysword。

"Iwouldliketoseeherfaceatthismoment，’Croisettereplied。

"YousawMadamed’O？"

Ishookmyhead，notanswering。Iwasnotsure，andIhadaqueer，sickeningdreadofthesubject。IfIhadseenher，Ihadseenoh！itwastoohorrible，toounnatural！Herownsister！

Herownbrotherin—law！

Ihastenedtochangethesubject。"ThePavannes，"Imadeshifttosay，"musthavehadfiveminutes’start。"

"More，"Croisetteanswered，"ifMadameandhegotawayatonce。

Ifallhasgonewellwiththem，andtheyhavenotbeenstoppedinthestreetstheyshouldbeatMirepoix’sbynow。Theyseemedtobeprettysurethathewouldtakethemin。"

"Ah！"Isighed。"Whatfoolsweweretobringmadamefromthatplace！IfwehadnotmeddledwithheraffairswemighthavereachedLouislongagoourLouis，Imean。"

"True，"Croisetteansweredsoftly，"butrememberthatthenweshouldnothavesavedtheotherLouisasItrustwehave。HewouldstillbeinPallavicini’shands。Come，Anne，letusthinkitisallforthebest，"headded，hisfaceshiningwithasteadycouragethatshamedme。"Totherescue！Heavenwillhelpustobeintimeyet！"

"Ay，totherescue！"Ireplied，catchinghisspirit。"Firsttotheright，Ithink，secondtotheleft，firstontherightagain。

Thatwasthedirectiongivenus，wasitnot？Thehouseoppositeabook—shopwiththesignoftheHeadofErasmus。Forward，boys！

Wemaydoityet。"

ButbeforeIpursueourfortunesfartherletmeexplain。Theroomwehadguardedsojealouslywasempty！TheplanhadbeenmineandIwasproudofit。ForonceCroisettehadfallenintohisrightfulplace。Myflightfromthegate，thevainattempttoclosethehouse，thebarricadebeforetheinnerdoor——thesewerealldesignedtodrawtheassailantstoonespot。Pavannesandhiswife——thelatterhastilydisguisedasaboy——hadhiddenbehindthedoorofthehutchbythegates——theporter’shutch，andhadslippedoutandfledinthefirstconfusionoftheattack。

Eventheservants，aswelearnedafterwards，whohadhiddenthemselvesinthelowerpartsofthehousegotawayinthesamemanner，thoughsomeofthem——theywerebutfewinallwerestoppedasHuguenotsandkilledbeforethedayended。IhadthemorereasontohopethatPavannesandhiswifewouldgetclearoff，inasmuchasIhadgiventheDuke’sringtohim，thinkingitmightservehiminastrait，andbelievingthatweshouldhavelittletofearourselvesonceclearofhishouse;unlessweshouldmeettheVidameindeed。

Wedidnotmeethimasitturnedout;butbeforewehadtraversedaquarterofthedistancewehadtogowefoundthatfearsbasedonreasonwerenottheonlyterrorswehadtoresist。Pavannes’

house，wherewehadhithertobeen，stoodatsomedistancefromthecentreoftheblood—stormwhichwasenwrappingunhappyParisthatmorning。ItwasseveralhundredpacesfromtheRuedeBethisywheretheAdmirallived，andwhatwiththiscomparativeremotenessandtheexcitementofourownlittledrama，wehadnotattendedmuchtothefuryofthebells，theshotsandcriesanduproarwhichproclaimedthestateofthecity。Wehadnotpicturedthesceneswhichwerehappeningsonear。Nowinthestreetsthetruthbrokeuponus，anddrovethebloodfromourcheeks。Ahundredyards，theturningofacorner，sufficed。Wewhobutyesterdayleftthecountry，whoonlyaweekbeforewereboys，carelessasotherboys，notreckingofdeathatall，wereplungednowintothemidstofhorrorsIcannotdescribe。Andtheawfulcontrastbetweentheskyaboveandthethingsaboutus！

Evennowthelarkwassingingnotfarfromus;thesunshinewasstrikingthetopmoststoreysofthehouses;thefleecycloudswerepassingoverhead，thefreshnessofasummermorningwas——

Ah！wherewasit？Nothereinthenarrowlanessurely，thatechoedandre—echoedwithshrieksandcursesandfranticprayers：

inwhichbandsoffuriousmenrushedupanddown，andwherearchersoftheguardandthemorecruelrabblewerebreakingindoorsandwindows，andhurryingwithbloodyweaponsfromhousetohouse，seeking，pursuing，andatlastkillinginsomehorridcorner，someplaceofdarkness——killingwithblowonblowdealtonwrithingbodies！Nothere，surely，whereeachminuteachild，awomandiedsilently，amansnarlinglikeawolf——happyifhehadsnatchedhisweaponandgothisbacktothewall：wherefoulcorpsesdammedtheverybloodthatrandownthekennel，andchildren——littlechildren——playedwiththem！

IwasatCahorsin1580inthegreatstreetfight;andtherewomenwerekilled，IwaswithChatillonnineyearslater，whenherodethroughtheFaubourgsofParis，withthisverydayandhisfatherColignyinhismind，andgavenoquarter。IwasatCourtasandIvry，andmorethanoncehaveseenprisonersledouttobepikedinbatches——ay，andbyhundreds！Butwariswar，andthesewereitsvictims，dyingforthemostpartunderGod’sheavenwitharmsintheirhands：notmenandwomenfreshrousedfromtheirsleep。Ifeltonthoseoccasionsnosuchhorror，I

haveneverfeltsuchburningpityandindignationasonthemorningIamdescribing，thatlong—pastsummermorningwhenI

firstsawthesunshiningonthestreetsofParis。Croisetteclungtome，sickandwhite，shuttinghiseyesandears，andlettingmeguidehimasIwould。Mariestrodealongontheothersideofhim，hislipsclosed，hiseyessinister。Onceasoldieroftheguardwhoseblood—stainedhandsbetrayedtheworkhehaddone，camereeling——hewasdrunk，asweremanyofthebutchers——

acrossourpath，andIgavewayalittle。Mariedidnot，butwalkedstolidlyonasifhedidnotseehim，asifthewaywereclear，andtherewerenouglythinginGod’simageblockingit。

Onlyhishandwentasifbyaccidenttothehaftofhisdagger。

Thearcher——fortunatelyforhimselfandforustoo——reeledclearofus。Weescapedthatdanger。Buttoseewomenkilledandpassby——itwashorrible！SohorriblethatifinthosemomentsIhadhadthewishing—cap，Iwouldhaveaskedbutforfivethousandriders，andleavetochargewiththemthroughthestreetsofParis！IwouldhavehadthedaysoftheJacqueriebackagain，andmymen—at—armsbehindme！

Forourselves，thoughtheorgywasatitsheightwhenwepassed，wewerenotmolested。Wewerestoppedindeedthreetimes——onceineachofthestreetswetraversed——bydifferentbandsofmurderers。Butasweworethesamebadgesasthemselves，andcried"VIVELAMESSE！"andgaveournames，wewereallowedtoproceed。Icangivenoideaoftheconfusionanduproar，andI

scarcelybelievemyselfnowthatwesawsomeofthethingswewitnessed。Onceamangailydressed，andsplendidlymounted，dashedpastus，wavinghisnakedswordandcryinginafrenziedway"Bleedthem！Bleedthem！BleedinMay，asgoodto—day！"

andneverceasedcryingoutthesamewordsuntilhepassedbeyondourhearing。Oncewecameuponthebodiesofafatherandtwosons，whichlaypiledtogetherinthekennel;partlystrippedalready。Theyoungestboycouldnothavebeenmorethanthirteen，Imentionthisgroup，notassurpassingothersinpathos，butbecauseitiswellknownnowthatthisboy，JacquesNompardeCaumont，wasnotdead，butlivesto—day，myfriendtheMarshaldelaForce。

Thisremindsmetooofthesingleactofkindnesswewereabletoperform。Wefoundourselvessuddenly，onturningacorner，amidagangofsevenoreightsoldiers，whohadstoppedandsurroundedahandsomeboy，apparentlyaboutfourteen。Heworeascholar’sgown，andhadsomebooksunderhisarm，towhichheclungfirmly——thoughonlyperhapsbyinstinct——notwithstandingthefuriousairofthemenwhowerethreateninghimwithdeath。Theywereloudlydemandinghisname，aswepausedoppositethem。Heeithercouldnotorwouldnotgiveit，butsaidseveraltimesinhisfrightthathewasgoingtotheCollegeofBurgundy。WasheaCatholic？theycried。Hewassilent。Withanoaththemanwhohadholdofhiscollarlifteduphispike，andnaturallytheladraisedthebookstoguardhisface。AcrybrokefromCroisette。

Werushedforwardtostaytheblow。

"See！see！"heexclaimedloudly，hisvoicearrestingtheman’sarmintheveryactoffalling。"HehasaMassBook！HehasaMassBook！Heisnotaheretic！HeisaCatholic！"

Thefellowloweredhisweapon，andsullenlysnatchedthebooks。

Helookedatthemstupidlywithbloodshotwanderingeyes，theredcrossonthevellumbindings，theonlythingheunderstood。Butitwasenoughforhim;hebidtheboybegone，andreleasedhimwithacuffandanoath。

Croisettewasnotsatisfiedwiththis，thoughIdidnotunderstandhisreason;onlyIsawhimexchangeaglancewiththelad。"Come，come！"hesaidlightly。"Givehimhisbooks！Youdonotwantthem！"

Butonthatthementurnedsavagelyuponus。Theydidnotthankusforthepartwehadalreadytaken;andthistheythoughtwasgoingtoofar。Theywerehalfdrunkandquarrelsome，andbeingtwotoone，andtwoover，begantoflourishtheirweaponsinourfaces。Mischiefwouldcertainlyhavebeendone，andveryquickly，hadnotanunexpectedallyappearedonourside。

"Putup！putup！"thisgentlemancriedinaboisterousvoice——

hewasalreadyinourmidst。"Whatisallthisabout？Whatistheuseoffightingamongstourselves，whenthereismanyabonnythroattocut，andheaventobegainedbyit！putup，Isay！"

"Whoareyou？"theyroaredinchorus。

"TheDukeofGuise！"heansweredcoolly。"Letthegentlemengo，andbehangedtoyou，yourascals！"

Theman’sbearingwasastrongerargumentthanhiswords，forI

amsurethatastouterormorerecklessbladeneverswaggeredinchurchorstreet。Iknewhiminstantly，andeventhecrewofbutchersseemedtoseeinhimtheirmaster。Theyhungbackafewcursesathim，buthavingnothingtogaintheyyielded。Theythrewdownthebookswithcontempt——showingtherebytheirsenseoftruereligion;andtroopedoffroaring，"TUES！TUES！AuxHuguenots！"atthetopoftheirvoices。

ThenewcomerthusleftwithuswasBure——BlaiseBure——thesamewhoonlyyesterday，thoughitseemedmonthsandmonthsback，hadluredusintoBezers’power。Sincethatmomentwehadnotseenhim。Nowhehadwipedoffpartofthedebt，andwelookedathim，uncertainwhethertoreproachhimorno。He，however，wasnotonewhitabashed，butreturnedourregardswithanotunkindlyleer。

"Ibearnomalice，younggentlemen，"hesaidimpudently。

"No，Ishouldthinknot，"Ianswered。

"Andbesides，wearequitsnow，"theknavecontinued。

"Youareverykind，"Isaid。

"Tobesure。Youdidmeagoodturnonce，"heanswered，muchtomysurprise。Heseemedtobeinearnestnow。"Youdonotrememberit，younggentleman，butitwasyouandyourbrotherhere"——hepointedtoCroisette——"didit！AndbythePopeandtheKingofSpainIhavenotforgottenit！"

"Ihave，"Isaid。

"What！YouhaveforgottenspittingthatfellowatCaylustendaysago？CA！SA！Youremember。Andverycleanlydone，too！

Aprettystroke！Well，M。Anne，thatwasacleverfellow，averycleverfellow。HethoughtsoandIthoughtso，andwhatwasmoretothepurposethemostnobleRaouldeBezersthoughtsotoo。

Youunderstand！"

HeleeredatmeandIdidunderstand。IunderstoodthatunwittinglyIhadridBlaiseBureofarival。Thisaccountedfortherespectful，almostthekindlywayinwhichhehad——well，deceivedus。

"Thatisall，"hesaid。"Ifyouwantasmuchdoneforyou，letmeknow。Forthepresent，gentlemen，farewell！"

Hecockedhishatfiercely，andwentoffatspeedthewaywehadourselvesbeengoing;hummingashewent，"Cepetithommetantjoli，Quitoujourscauseettoujoursrit，QuitoujoursbaisesamignonneDieugard’demalcepetithomme！"

Hisrecklesssongcamebacktousonthesummerbreeze。Wewatchedhimmakeaplayfulpassatacorpsewhichsomeonehadproppedinghastlyfashionagainstadoor——andmissit——andgoonwhistlingthesameair——andthenacornerhidhimfromview。

Welingeredonlyamomentourselves;merelytospeaktotheboywehadbefriended。

"Showthebooksifanyonechallengesyou，"saidCroisettetohimshrewdly。Croisettewassomuchofaboyhimself，withhisfairhairlikeahaloabouthiswhite，excitedface，thatthepictureofthetwo，oneadvisingtheother，seemedtomeastrangelyprettyone。"Showthebooksandpointtothecrossonthem。AndHeavensendyousafetoyourcollege。"

"Iwouldliketoknowyourname，ifyouplease，"saidtheboy。

Hiscoolnessanddignitystruckmeasadmirableunderthecircumstances。"IamMaximiliandeBethune，sonoftheBarondeRosny，"

"Then，"saidCroisettebriskly，"onegoodturnhasdeservedanother。Yourfather，yesterday，atEtampes——noitwasthedaybefore，butwehavenotbeeninbed——warnedus——"

Hebrokeoffsuddenly;thencried，"Run！run！"

Theboyneedednosecondwarningindeed。Hewasofflikethewinddownthestreet，forwehadseenandsohadhe，thestealthyapproachoftwoorthreeprowlingrascalsonthelookoutforavictim。Theycaughtsightofhimandwerestronglyinclinedtofollowhim;butweweretheirmatchinnumbers。Thestreetwasotherwiseemptyatthemoment：andweshowedthemthreeexcellentreasonswhytheyshouldgivehimaclearstart。

Hisafteradventuresarewell—known：forhe，too，lives。Hewasstoppedtwiceafterheleftus。Ineachcaseheescapedbyshowinghisbookofoffices。Onreachingthecollegetheporterrefusedtoadmithim，andheremainedforsometimeintheopenstreetexposedtoconstantdangeroflosinghislife，andknowingnotwhattodo。Atlengthheinducedthegatekeeper，bythepresentofsomesmallpiecesofmoney，tocalltheprincipalofthecollege，andthismanhumanelyconcealedhimforthreedays。

Themassacrebeingthenatanend，twoarmedmeninhisfather’spaysoughthimoutandrestoredhimtohisfriends。SonearwasFrancetolosinghergreatestminister，theDukedeSully。

Toreturntoourselves。Theladoutofsight，weinstantlyresumedourpurpose，andtryingtoshutoureyesandearstothecruelty，andribaldry，anduproarthroughwhichwehadstilltopass，wecountedourturningswithadesperateexactness，intentonlyononething——toreachLouisdePavannes，toreachthehouseoppositetotheHeadofErasmus，asquicklyaswecould。Wepresentlyenteredalong，narrowstreet。Attheendofittheriverwasvisiblegleamingandsparklinginthesunlight。Thestreetwasquiet;quietandempty。Therewasnolivingsoultobeseenfromendtoendofit，onlyaprowlingdog。Thenoiseofthetumultraginginotherpartswassoftenedherebydistanceandtheinterveninghouses。Weseemedtobeabletobreathemorefreely。

"Thisshouldbeourstreet，"saidCroisette。

Inodded。AtthesamemomentIespied，half—waydownit，thesignweneededandpointedtoit，Butah！wereweintime？Ortoolate？Thatwasthequestion。Byasingleimpulsewebrokeintoarun，andshotdowntheroadwayatspeed。AfewyardsshortoftheHeadofErasmuswecame，onebyone，Croisettefirst，toafullstop。Afullstop！

Thehouseoppositethebookseller’swassacked！guttedfromtoptobottom。Itwasatallhouse，immediatelyfrontingthestreet，andeverywindowinitwasbroken。Thedoorhungforlornlyononehinge，glaringcracksinitssurfaceshowingwheretheaxehadsplinteredit。Fragmentsofglassandware，hungoutandshatteredinsheerwantonness，strewedthesteps：anddownonecornerofthelatteradarkredstreamtrickled——tocurdlebyandbyinthegutter。Whencecamethestream？Alas！therewassomethingmoretobeseenyet，somethingoureyesinstinctivelysoughtlastofall。Thebodyofaman。

Itlayonthethreshold，theheadhangingback，thewideglazedeyeslookinguptothesummerskywhencetheswelteringheatwouldsoonpourdownuponit。Welookedshudderingattheface。

Itwasthatofaservant，avaletwhohadbeenwithLouisatCaylus。Werecognisedhimatonceforwehadknownandlikedhim。Hehadcarriedourgunsonthehillsadozentimes，andtoldusstoriesofthewar。Thebloodcrawledslowlyfromhim。

Hewasdead。

Croisettebegantoshakeallover。Heclutchedoneofthepillars，whichboreuptheporch，andpressedhisfaceagainstitscoldsurface，hidinghiseyesfromthesight。Theworsthadcome。InourheartsIthinkwehadalwaysfanciedsomeaccidentwouldsaveourfriend，somestrangerwarnhim。

"Oh，poor，poorKit！"Croisettecried，burstingsuddenlyintoviolentsobs。"Oh，Kit！Kit！"

CHAPTERX。

HAU，HAU，HUGUENOTS！

HislateMajesty，HenrytheFourth，Iremember——thanwhomnobravermanworesword，wholoveddangerindeedforitsownsake，andcourteditasamistress——couldneversleeponthenightbeforeanaction。IhaveheardhimsayhimselfthatitwassobeforethefightatArques。Croisettepartookofthisnaturetoo，beinghigh—strungandapttobeeasilyover—wrought，butneveruntilthenecessityforexertionhadpassedaway：whileMarieandI，thoughnotawhitstouteratapinch，wereslowertofeelandlesseasytomove——moreGermanicinfact。

InamethisherepartlylestitshouldbethoughtafterwhatI

havejusttoldofCroisettethattherewasanythingofthewomanabouthim——savethetenderness;andpartlytoshowthatweactedatthiscrisiseachafterhismanner。’WhileCroisetteturnedpaleandtrembled，andhidhiseyes，Istooddazed，lookingfromthedesolatehousetothefacestiffeninginthesunshine，andbackagain;wondering，thoughIhadseenscoresofdeadfacessincedaybreak，andaplenitudeofsufferinginalldreadfulshapes，howProvidencecouldletthishappentous。Tous！Inhisinstinctsmanisasselfishasanyanimalthatlives。

Isawnothingindeedofthedeadfaceanddeadhouseafterthefirstconvincingglance。Isawinsteadwithhot，hoteyestheoldcastleathome，thegreenfieldsaboutthebrook，andthegreyhillsrisingfromthem;andtheterrace，andKitcomingtomeetus，Kitwithwhitefaceandpartedlipsandavideyesthatquestionedus！Andwewithnocomforttogiveher，nolovertobringbacktoher！

Afaintnoisebehindasofasigncreakinginthewind，rousedmefromthismostpainfulreverie。Iturnedround，notquicklyorinsurpriseorfear。Ratherinthesamedullwonder。Theupperpartofthebookseller’sdoorwasajar。ItwasthatIhadheardopened。Anoldwomanwaspeeringoutatus。

Asoureyesmet，shemadeaslightmovementtoclosethedooragain。ButIdidnotstir，andseemingtobereassuredbyasecondglance，shenoddedtomeinastealthyfashion。Idrewastepnearer，listlessly。"Pst！Pst！"shewhispered。Herwrinkledoldface，whichwaslikeaNormandyapplelongkept，wassoftwithpityasshelookedatCroisette。"Pst！"

"Well！"Isaid，mechanically。

"Ishetaken？"shemuttered。

"Whotaken？"Iaskedstupidly。

Shenoddedtowardstheforsakenhouse，andanswered，"Theyounglordwholodgedthere？Ah！sirs，"shecontinued，"helookedgayandhandsome，ifyou’llbelieveme，ashecamefromtheking’scourtyestereven！Asbonnyasightinhissatincoat，andhisribbons，asmyeyeseversaw！Andtothinkthattheyshouldbehuntinghimlikearatto—day！"

Thewoman’swordswerefewandsimple。Butwhatachangetheymadeinmyworld！Howmyheartawokefromitsstupor，andleaptupwithanewjoyandanew—bornhope！"Didhegetaway？"I

criedeagerly。"Didheescape，mother，then？"

"Ay，that。hedid！"sherepliedquickly。"Thatpoorfellow，yonder——heliesquietenoughnowGodforgivehimhisheresy，sayI！——keptthedoormanfullywhilethegentlemangotontheroof，andranrightdownthestreetonthetopsofthehouses，withthemfiringandhootingathim：foralltheworldasifhehadbeenasquirrelandtheyapackofboyswithstones！"

"Andheescaped？"

"Escaped！"sheansweredmoreslowly，shakingheroldheadindoubt。"IdonotknowaboutthatIfeartheyhavegothimbynow，gentlemen。Ihavebeenshiveringandshakingupstairswithmyhusband——heisinbed，goodman，andthesafestplaceforhim——thesaintshavemercyuponus！ButIheardthemgowiththeirshoutingandgunpowderrightalongtotheriver，andIdoubttheywilltakehimbetweenthisandtheCHATELET！Idoubttheywill。"

"Howlongagowasit，dame？"Icried。

"Oh！maybehalfanhour。Perhapsyouarefriendsofhis？"sheaddedquestioningly。

ButIdidnotstaytoanswerher。IshookCroisette，whohadnotheardawordofthis，bytheshoulder。Thereisachancethathehasescaped！"Icriedinhisear。Escaped，doyouhear？"AndI

toldhimhastilywhatshehadsaid。

Itwasfine，indeed，andasight，toseethebloodrushtohischeeks，andthetearsdryinhiseyes，andenergyanddecisionspringtolifeineverynerveandmuscleofhisface，"Thenthereishope？"hecried，graspingmyarm。"Hope，Anne！Come！Come！

Donotletusloseanotherinstant。Ifhebealiveletusjoinhim！"

Theoldwomantriedtodetainus，butinvain。Nay，pityingus，andfearing，Ithink，thatwewererushingonourdeaths，shecastasidehercaution，andcalledafterusaloud。Wetooknoheed，runningafterCroisette，whohadnotwaitedforouranswer，asfastasyounglimbscouldcarryusdownthestreet。Theexhaustionwehadfeltamomentbeforewhenallseemedlostbeitrememberedthatwehadnotbeentobedortastedfoodformanyhours——fellfromusontheinstant，andwascleangoneandforgotteninthejoyofthisrespite。Louiswaslivingandforthemomenthadescaped。

Escaped！Butforhowlong？Wesoonhadouranswer。Themomentweturnedthecornerbytheriver—side，themurmurofamultitudenotloudbutcontinuous，struckourears，evenasthebreezeoffthewatersweptourcheeks。AcrosstheriverlaythethousandroofsoftheIledelaCite，allsparklinginthesunshine。Butweswepttotheright，thinkinglittleofTHATsight，andcheckedourspeedonfindingourselvesontheskirtsofthecrowd。

Beforeuswasabridge——thePontauChange，Ithink——andatitsheadonoursideofthewaterstoodtheCHATELET，withitshoaryturretsandbattlements。Betweenusandthelatter，andbackedonlybytheriver，wasagreatopenspacehalf—filledwithpeople，mostlysilentandwatchful，cometogetherastoashow，andbetraying，atpresentatleast，nodesiretotakeanactivepartinwhatwasgoingon。

Wehurriedlyplungedintothethrong，andsooncaughtthecluetothequietnessandthelackofmovementwhichseemedtoprevail，andwhichatfirstsighthadpuzzledus。Foramomenttheabsenceofthedreadfulsymptomswehadcometoknowsowell——theflyingandpursuing，therandomblows，theshrieksandcursesandbatteringsondoors，thetipsyyells，hadreassuredus。Butthereliefwasshort—lived。Thepeoplebeforeuswereundercontrol。

Atightergripseemedtocloseuponourheartsaswediscernedthis，forweknewthatthewildfuryofthepopulace，liketherushofabull，mighthavegivensomechanceofescape——inthiscaseasinothers。Butthiscold—bloodedorderedsearchleftnone。

Everyfaceaboutuswasturnedinthesamedirection;awayfromtheriverandtowardsablockofoldhouseswhichstoodoppositetoit。Thespaceimmediatelyinfrontofthesewasempty，thepeoplebeingkeptbackbyascoreorsoofarchersoftheguardsetatintervals，andbyasmanyhorsemen，whokeptridingupanddown，belabouringthebolderspiritswiththeflatoftheirswords，andsopreservingaline。Ateachextremityofthis——morenoticeablyonourleftwherethelinecurvedroundtheangleofthebuildings——stoodahandfulofriders，seveninagroupperhaps。Andaloneinthemiddleofthespacesokeptclear，walkinghishorseupanddownandgazingatthehousesrodeamanofgreatstature，bootedandarmed，thefeathernoddinginhisbonnet。Icouldnotseehisface，butIhadnoneedtoseeit。

Iknewhim，andgroanedaloud。ItwasBezers！

Iunderstoodthescenebetternow。Thehorsemen，stern，beardedSwitzersforthemostpart，whoeyedtherabbleaboutthemwithgrimdisdain，andwerebynomeanscharyoftheirblows，wereallinhiscoloursandarmedtotheteeth。Theorderanddisciplinewereofhismaking：therevengeofhisseeking。Agraspasofsteelhadsettleduponourfriend，andIfeltthathislastchancewasgone。LouisdePavannesmightaswellbelyingonhisthresholdwithhisdeadservantbyhisside，asbeinhidingwithinthatringoforderedswords。

Itwaswithdespairingeyeswelookedattheoldwoodenhouses。

Theyseemedtobebowingthemselvestowardsus，theirupperstoriesprojectedsofar，theyweresodecrepit。Theirroofswereawildernessofguttersandcrookedgables，oftotteringchimneysandwoodenpinnaclesandrottingbeams，AmongsttheseI

judgedKit’sloverwashiding。Well，itwasagoodplaceforhideandseek—withanyotherplayerthanDEATH。Inthegroundfloorsofthehousestherewerenowindowsandnodoors;byreason，Ilearnedafterwards，ofthefrequentfloodingoftheriver。Butalongwoodengalleryraisedonstrutsranalongthefront，rathermorethantheheightofamanfromtheground，andaccesstothiswasgainedbyawoodenstaircaseateachend。

Abovethisfirstgallerywasasecond，andabovethatalineofwindowssetbetweenthegables。Theblock——itmayhaverunforseventyoreightyyardsalongtheshore——containedfourhouses，eachwithadooropeningontothelowergallery。IsawindeedthatbutfortheVidame’sprecautionsLouismightwellhaveescaped。Hadthemoboncepouredhelter—skelterintothatlabyrinthofroomsandpassageshemightwithluckhavemingledwiththem，unheededandunrecognized，andeffectedhisescapewhentheyretreated。

Butnowthereweresentriesoneachgalleryandmoreontheroof。

Wheneveroneofthelattermovedorseemedtobelookinginward——

whereasearchparty，Iunderstood，wereatwork——indeed，ifhedidbutturnhishead，athrillranthroughthecrowdandamurmurarose，whichonceortwiceswelledtoasavageroarsuchasearlierhadmademetremble。Whenthishappenedtheimpulsecame，itseemedtome，fromthefartherendoftheline。Theretherougherelementswerecollected，andthereImorethanoncesawBezers’troopersinconflictwiththemob。Inthatquartertooasavagechantwaspresentlystruckup，thewholegatheringjoininginandyellingwithanindescribablyappallingeffect：

"Hau！Hau！Huguenots！

FaitesplaceauxPapegots！"

inderisionoftheoldsongsaidtobepopularamongsttheProtestants。ButintheHuguenotversionthelastwordswereofcoursetransposed。

Wehadworkedourwaybythistimetothefrontoftheline，andlookingintooneanother’seyes，mutelyaskedaquestion;butnotevenCroisettehadananswerready。Therecouldbenoanswerbutone。Whatcouldwedo？Nothing。Weweretoolate。Toolateagain！Andyethowdreadfulitwastostandstillamongthecruel，thoughtlessmobandseeourfriend，thetouchofwhosehandweknewsowell，donetodeathfortheirsport！Donetodeathastheoldwomanhadsaidlikeanyrat，notasoulsaveourselvespityinghim！Notasoultoturnsickathiscryofagony，orshudderattheglanceofhisdyingeyes。Itwasdreadfulindeed。

"Ah，well，"mutteredawomanbesidemetohercompanion——thereweremanywomeninthecrowd——"itisdownwiththeHuguenots，sayI！ItisLorraineisthefineman！Butafterallyonisabonnyfellowandaproper，Margot！IsawhimleapfromrooftoroofoverLoveLane，asiftheblessedsaintshadcarriedhim。Andhimaheretic！"

"Itistheblackart，"theotheranswered，crossingherself。

"Maybeitis！Buthewillneeditalltogivethatbigmantheslipto—day，"repliedthefirstspeakercomfortably。

"Thatdevil！"Margotexclaimed，pointingwithastealthygestureofhateattheVidame。Andtheninafiercewhisper，withinarticulatethreats，shetoldastoryofhim，whichmademeshudder。"Hedid！Andsheinreligiontoo！"sheconcluded。