erlin de Vaux," said the wounded Admiral to his aged pastor,
"pray for life if such be God's will, that we may use it better--for
death (the which He will give us in any case), that the messenger may
not find us unprepared."

And Merlin prayed, the rest standing up, stern, grave, prepared men,
with bowed and reverent heads. And the Genevan Scot thought most of his
dead master Calvin, whom, in the last year of his life, he had often
seen so stand, while his own power rocked under him in the city of his
adoption, and the kingdoms of the earth stormed about him like hateful
waves of the sea.

And somewhat thus-wise prayed good Merlin.

"Thou, O Lord, hast put down the mighty from their seats and has exalted
them of low degree! Clay are all men in Thy hands--potter's clay, broken
shards or vessels fit for altar-service. Yet Thou has sent us, Thy
servants, into the wild, where we have seen things, and thought things,
and given us many warnings, so that when Thou standest at the door and
knockest, we may be ready for Thy coming!"

Then at these words, prompt as an echo, the house leaped under the heavy
noise of blows delivered upon the outer door. And the Admiral of France,
sitting up in his bed, yet corpse-pale from his recent wound, lifted
his hand and said, "Hush, be still--my Lord standeth without! For dogs
and murderers, false kings and queens forsworn, are but instruments in
His hand. It is God who calls us to His holy rest. For me, I have long
been ready. I go with no more thought than if my chariot waited me at
the door."

Then he turned to the Huguenot gentlemen who were grouped about his bed.
This one and that other had tried to catch a glimpse of the assailants
from the windows. But in vain. For the door was in a recess which hid
all but the last of the guard which the King had set about the house.

"It is only Cosseins and his men," said one; "they will hold us safe. We
have the King's word. He placed the guard himself."

"The hearts of Kings are unsearchable," said the Admiral. "Put not your
trust in princes, but haste ye to the garret, where is a window that
gives upon the roof. There is no need that young and valiant men should
perish with a wounded man and an old. Go and fight for the remnant that
shall be preserved. If it be the Lord's will, He shall yet take vengence
by your arms!"

"Ay, go," said Merlin the pastor, casting back his white hair; "for me,
I am old, and I stay. Only yester-night I saw