all to be slain in our helplessness? Something must be done, and
that quickly. But what, alas! can we do? our husbands, brothers, fathers
are all at a distance, and the fatal hour draws near.'

"The tones of her voice and some of her words had reached the ears of
those within the cottage, and they now gathered about her in an
intensely excited, terrified group. Question and answer followed in
rapid succession till each knew all that she had heard.

"'Can it be possible?' cried Sara, 'can even popish cruelty,
ingratitude, and treachery go so far? are not our brave defenders theirs
also? keeping the passes against a common foe?'

"A mournful shake of the head from her aged father was the only reply,
save the sobs and cries of the frightened children.

"But at that instant a horseman came dashing up the street, suddenly
drew rein before their dwelling, and hastily dismounting, hurried toward
them.

"'Captain Odetti!' exclaimed Rozel in some surprise.

"'Yes, Rozel, I come to warn you, though, alas! I fear I am too late to
prevent bloodshed,' said the officer, sending a pitying glance from one
to another of the terror-stricken group.

"'There is a conspiracy against you; the assassins are even now on foot;
but if I cannot save, I will perish with you. The honor of my religion
is at stake, and I must justify it by sharing your danger.'

"'Can it be that such designs are really entertained against us?' asked
Rozel, in trembling tones, glancing from one loved face to another with
a look of keenest anguish. 'On what pretext? I know of none.'

"'The late base and cowardly surrender of Fort Mirabouc.'

"'There was but one Vaudois present, and his voice was raised against
it.'

"'True, but what matters that to foes bent upon your destruction? some
one was to blame, and why not make a scapegoat of the hated Vaudois? But
let us not waste time in useless discussion. We must act.'

"The fearful tidings flew from house to house, and in the wildest terror
the feeble folk began to make what preparations they could for
self-defence; by Odetti's advice barricading the streets and houses,
collecting missiles to hurl down from the upper windows upon the heads
of the assassins, and at the same time dispatching messenger after
messenger to General Godin, the Swiss officer in command of the troops
on the frontier, telling of the danger and praying for instant aid.

"But he, alas! unable, in the nobility of his soul, to credit the