ce was impossible,
they would be attacked by the armies of Nemours and Aumale. But by
this time we had become so accustomed to these tales that we were
not much alarmed.

"We were, however, surprised when we heard that a strong body of
the Germans had forded the river; and had blockaded La Charite on
this side, while it had been besieged on the other. I hear that a
strong garrison has been left there."

"Yes, madam. The place is of great importance, as it gives us a
means of crossing the Loire at any time. We find, too, that a large
part of the population are Huguenot; and the place will certainly
be held against any attack the Royalists may make against us."

"The news will be received with joy, indeed, by all of our religion
in this part of France. Hitherto we have had no place of refuge,
whatever. There was but the choice of dying in our own houses or
villages, or taking refuge in the woods until hunted down. It will
be, to us, what La Rochelle is to the Huguenots of the west.
Besides, the garrison there will make the Catholics very chary of
attacking us. Moreover, having now this passage across the Loire it
is likely that our party will largely use it on their marches, and
would be able to punish heavily any places at which there had been
massacres. It is by this way, too, the Germans are sure to return.
Therefore I feel that, for a time, my young charge will be
perfectly safe here.

"I sent off a messenger to our army, on the day you left us; but
have had no reply, and know not whether he reached it in safety. At
any rate, you cannot be very long before your force joins the
Admiral; and as we felt quite sure that you would come to see us,
as you passed, we have our letters ready to my husband and the
Count de Valecourt. You will, I am sure, deliver them as soon as
you join the Admiral."

"That I will assuredly do, madam. I expect that we shall meet him
near Limoges. That is the direction in which we are now marching."

The Count de Valecourt was one of the gentlemen who rode into the
Duc do Deux-Ponts' camp with the Admiral and, as soon as they
dismounted, and Coligny entered the tent of the dying general,
Philip made his way to his side.

"Ah! Monsieur Fletcher, I am glad to see you again. You
accomplished, then, your journey in safety. The Prince of Navarre
often spoke of you, and wondered how you were faring."

"I did very well, sir; but I have not thrust myself upon you, at
the moment of your arriva