ected to the Huguenot cause as yourselves. If there
is danger you will not find me lacking in leading you, and so far
as I can I shall try to make my service a comfortable one, and to
look after your welfare.

"We shall be ready to start in half an hour, therefore have the
horses round at the door in that time. One of the pillions is to be
placed on my own horse. You had better put the other for the maid
behind your saddle, Roger; you being, I take it, the oldest of your
party, had better take charge of her."

The men saluted and went out.

"I like their looks much," Philip said to the merchant. "Stout
fellows and cheerful, I should say. Like my aunt, I don't see why
we should carry long faces, Monsieur Bertram, because we have
reformed our religion; and I believe that a light heart and good
spirits will stand wear and tear better than a sad visage."

The four men were no less pleased with their new employer.

"That is a lad after my own heart," Roger said, as they went out.
"Quick and alert, pleasant of face; and yet, I will be bound, not
easily turned from what he has set his mind to. He bears himself
well, and I doubt not can use his weapons. I don't know what stock
he comes from, on this side, but I warrant it is a good one.

"He will make a good master, lads. I think that, as he says, he
will be thoughtful as to our comforts, and be pleasant and cheerful
with us; but mind you, he will expect the work to be done, and you
will find that there is no trifling with him."

Chapter 3: In A French Chateau.

The three days' ride to the chateau of the Countess de Laville was
marked by no incident. To Philip it was an exceedingly pleasant
one. Everything was new to him; the architecture of the churches
and villages, the dress of the people, their modes of agriculture,
all differing widely from those to which he was accustomed. In some
villages the Catholics predominated, and here the passage of the
little party was regarded with frowning brows and muttered threats;
by the Huguenots they were saluted respectfully, and if they
halted, many questions were asked their followers as to news about
the intentions of the court, the last rumours as to the attitude of
Conde, and the prospects of a continuance of peace.

Here, too, great respect was paid to Marie and Philip when it was
known they were relatives of the Countess de Laville, and belonged
to the family of the De Moulins. Emilie had for some time been a
wido