ing in a noble cause and a grand victory. I have certain news of your
boy. He was in a Jesuit school. It was burnt to the ground, but the boy was
saved. In the confusion and uproar, with the flames scorching hot on us, I
felt pity for the young creatures who were seen struggling in the burning
mass. With the help of my brave companions I rescued three of the boys. I
was bearing off one to a place of safety when I felt a blow from behind.
This stab in my shoulder, and the pain, made me relax my hold of the boy.

'Instantly one of the Jesuit brothers had seized him, saying,--

"You are safe, Ambrose, with me."

'I knew no more. I swooned from pain and loss of blood, and, when I came
to, I found I was in a barge being brought hither with other of the
wounded.'

'But my son!' Mary exclaimed. 'Are you sure it was my son?'

'As sure as I can be of aught that my eyes have ever looked upon. I saw the
large eyes you speak of dilated with fear, as the flames leaped up in the
surrounding darkness. And I verily believe the man who tore him from me was
him who gave me this wound, and is the crafty wretch whom you know to be
your husband.'

'Ah me!' Mary exclaimed, 'it is but poor comfort after all. My boy may be
near, but I can never see him; he who has him in his power will take care
he eludes our grasp. But I am selfish and ungrateful to you, my good
friend. Pardon me if I seem to forget you got that sore wound in my
service.'

'Ah! Mary,' Humphrey said, 'I would suffer ten such wounds gladly if I
might but win my guerdon. Well for me, it may be, that I swooned, or, by
Heaven, I should have run that wily Jesuit through the body.'

'Thank God,' Mary said fervently, 'that his blood lies not on your head.'

Madam Gruithuissens had considerately withdrawn to a long, low chamber next
the small one where Humphrey lay. She knew enough of Mary Gifford's history
to feel that whatever Humphrey Ratcliffe had to say to her, he would prefer
to say it with no listeners.

And, full of charity and kindness, the good lady moved about amongst the
wounded and dying, and tried to cheer them and support them in their pain,
by repeating passages from the Bible, in English or in Dutch, according to
the nationality of the sufferer.

When Madam Gruithuissens returned to Humphrey's room, Mary said,--

'I would fain watch here all night, and do my utmost for all the sufferers.
Will you, Madam, give my uncle notice of my intention, and I think he