u."

"Deceived me, Philip! In what way?"

"My mission was an assumed one," Philip said; "and in reality,
Pierre and I journeyed to Paris."

A cry broke from the countess's lips.

"To Paris, Philip! And your mission has been successful? You have
heard something?"

"I have done more, aunt, I have found him."

"The Lord be praised for all His mercies!" burst from the lips of
the countess, and she threw herself on Philip's neck, and burst
into a passion of tears, the first she had shed since he brought
the news from Paris.

"Courage, aunt," Philip whispered.

He glanced towards the door. Claire understood him, and ran to open
it. Francois came quietly in.

"Mother," he said, and the countess, with a cry of joy, ran into
his arms.

The French army appeared before the town on the following day, and
the siege was at once commenced. With Marshal Biron were the dukes
of Anjou and Alencon, the King of Navarre, and the Prince of Conde,
who had been compelled to accompany him.

The siege made little progress. The defences were strong, and the
Huguenots were not content only to repel assaults, but made fierce
sallies, causing a considerable loss to the besiegers.

To the surprise of the defenders, they heard that the Count de la
Noue had arrived in camp, with a mission from the king. He had
remained a captive, in the camp of the Duke of Alva, after the
surrender of Mons; and so had happily escaped the massacre of Saint
Bartholomew. He had then been released, and had gone to France to
arrange his ransom.

The king, who was now tormented with remorse, sent for him; and
entreated him, as a personal favour, to go as his Commissioner to
La Rochelle, and to endeavour to bring about a cessation of
hostilities, authorizing him to grant almost any terms. De la Noue
undertook the task unwillingly, and only upon condition that he
would be no party to inducing them to surrender, unless perfectly
satisfied with the guarantees for the observance of any treaty that
might be made.

When a flag of truce came forward, and announced that Monsieur de
la Noue had arrived on the part of the king, the news was at first
received with incredulity. Then there was a burst of indignation,
at what was considered the treachery of the count. He was refused
permission to enter the town but, after some parleying, a party
went out to have an interview with him outside the gate.

The meeting was unsatisfactory. Some of the citizens pretended tha