make head again; just as it did
when all seemed lost, after the battle of Moncontour."

So they talked until night fell, with Pierre sitting discreetly in
the corner, as far away as possible, apparently sleeping most of
the time. As soon as it became perfectly dark, the bundle of
clothes was taken from the hiding place and, going outside the hut,
Philip and Pierre put on their ordinary attire. Claire had simply
slipped on the dress prepared for her over her own, and had but to
lay it aside.

After partaking of a meal, they made their way to the nearest steps
leading to the top of the wall. One end of the rope was fastened to
the parapet, the other was tied round Claire, and she was carefully
lowered to the ground. Philip and Pierre slid down the rope after
her, and they at once started across the country.

After three hours' walking, they reached the farm where Pierre had
left the horses. They left Claire a short distance away. As Pierre
had seen the horses put into the stables, he knew exactly where
they were. He had, on leaving them there, paid for a week's keep;
saying that he might come for them in haste, and perhaps at night,
and if so he would saddle and take them off without waking the
farmer.

The horses whinnied with pleasure, when Philip spoke to them. The
saddles and bridles were found, hanging on a beam where Pierre had
placed them; and in two or three minutes the horses were led out,
ready to start. Philip had arranged his cloak behind his saddle,
for Claire to sit upon; and led the horse to the place where she
was awaiting them.

"All has passed off well," he said. "No one in the farmhouse seems
to have heard a sound."

He leapt into the saddle. Claire placed her foot on his, and he
swung her up behind him; and they then started at a brisk trot.

Avoiding all large towns, and stopping only at village inns, they
made their way south; making long journeys each day. In the
villages there was little of the religious rancour that animated
the people in the towns and, after the first two days, Philip found
that the news of what had occurred at Paris had not, as yet,
spread. Eager questions were asked Pierre as to the grand wedding
festivities at Paris; and there was, everywhere, a feeling of
satisfaction at a union that seemed to promise to give peace to
France.

Claire was generally supposed to be Philip's sister; and the
hostesses always did their best to make the girl, with her pale sad
face, as