l, to speak of my own journey; but to
deliver you a letter, which I have the honour of being the bearer,
from your daughter."

The count stepped backwards a pace, with a cry of astonishment and
pleasure.

"From my daughter! Is it possible, sir? How long is it since you
saw her?"

"It is nigh three weeks back, sir."

"The Lord be praised!" the count said solemnly, taking off his cap
and looking upwards. "He has shown me many mercies, but this is the
greatest. For the last two months I have mourned her as dead. News
was brought to me, by one of my retainers, that she was with a
congregation who were attacked by the people of La Chatre, and that
all had been massacred. My chateau near there was attacked and
burnt, and those of the men who were Huguenots slain, save the one
who brought me the news."

"You will see, sir, that your daughter escaped," Philip said,
handing him the letter. "She is now in the safe custody of Madame
de Landres."

The count tore open the letter, and he had read but a few lines
when he uttered an exclamation of surprise and, turning towards
Philip, who had moved a few paces away, ran to him and threw his
arms round his neck.

"It is you who have, with God's blessing, rescued my daughter from
death," he exclaimed. "She is my only child. Oh, monsieur, what joy
have you brought to me, what thankfulness do I feel, how deeply am
I indebted to you! I had thought that there remained to me but to
do my duty to God, and His cause; and then, if I lived to see the
end of the war, to live out my days a childless old man. Now I seem
to live again. Claire is alive; I have still something to love and
care for.

"I will first run through the rest of the letter; and then you
shall tell me, in full, all the story. But which is your tent? Pray
take me there. I would be alone, a little while, to thank God for
this great mercy."

Half an hour later, the count reappeared at the entrance of the
tent. Pierre had wine and refreshments ready and, placing them on a
box that served as a table, retired; leaving his master and the
count together.

"Now, tell me all about it," the count said. "Claire's description
is a very vague one, and she bids me get all the details from you.
She only knows that a man on horseback rode at her, with uplifted
sword. She commended her soul to God, and stood expecting the blow;
when there was a pistol shot, close to her, and the man fell from
his horse. Then another dashed forwar