d still-crib was now piled the salvage of a wealthy
household. Two dormer windows pierced the roof fronting the street, and
there was also one in the west gable, extending like a hallway toward
the treetops, but none in the roof at the back.

The timbers of the house creaked, and at every blow of the water the
inmates could hear it splashing to the chimneys on one side, and running
down on the other.

"Now," said Captain Saucier desperately, "tante-gra'mere must be roused
and carried up."

"Yes, the feather beds are all piled together for her, with fresh linen
sheets and all her cushions; but," gasped madame his wife, "she has
never before been waked in the night. Is it not better to send Angelique
to bring her by degrees into a frame of mind for being removed?"

"There is no time. I have left her till the last minute, hoping she
might wake."

They made a procession into her chamber, Angelique and Peggy carrying
candles, the grand-nephew and grand-niece ready for a conflict. Waters
booming against the house, and already making river coves of familiar
rooms, were scarcely more to be dreaded than the obstinate will of a
creature as small as a child.

Angelique lifted a ruffle of tante-gra'mere's nightcap and whispered in
her ear. She stirred, and struck out with one hand, encountering the
candle flame. That brought her upright, staring with indignant black
eyes at the conclave.

"Dear tante-gra'mere, we are in danger. There is a great overflow of the
rivers."

The autocrat felt for her whip in its accustomed place, and armed
herself with it.

"Pardon us for disturbing you, tante-gra'mere," said her grand-nephew,
"but I am obliged to carry you into the attic."

"Is the sun up?" cried the little voice.

"The water is, madame," answered Peggy.

"If you wait for the sun, tante-gra'mere," urged her grand-nephew's
wife, "you will drown here."

"Do you tell me I will drown in my own bed? I will not drown. Where is
Wachique?"

"She is carrying your chairs into the attic, tante-gra'mere."

"My chairs gone to the attic in my lifetime? And who has claimed my
dower chest and my linen?"

"All your things are safely removed except this bedstead, madame,"
declared Angelique's mother. "They were set down more carefully than my
china."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Only a few hours, tante-gra'mere. It is early in the night."

Her withered face was quite wrathful.

"The water is all over the floor, madame. W