existence of a plot so atrocious, turned a deaf ear to their entreaties,
declaring his conviction that the alarm was groundless--a mere
panic--and that his troops could not be spared to go on so useless an
errand.

"As one courier after another returned with this same disheartening
report, the terror and despair were such as to beggar description.

"Lucia Vittoria, recalling, with many a shudder of wild affright, the
evil looks and fierce words and gestures of her pursuers of the morning,
resolved to defend her own, her mother's, and sister's honor to the last
gasp.

"'The terrible excitement of the hour seemed to give her unnatural
strength for her task of lifting and carrying stones and fragments of
rock to be used in repelling the expected assault. Assisted by Henri and
every member of the family capable of the exertion, she toiled
unceasingly while anything yet remained to be done.

"In the midst of their exertions Magdalen Goneto suddenly appeared among
them.

"'I have heard, and I come to live or die with you, dear friends,' she
said, and fell to work with the others.

"At length all was completed, and they could only await in dreadful
suspense the coming of events. They had continued to importune the
commandant, but with no better success than at first.

"In the closed and barricaded dwellings hearts were going up to God in
agonized prayer for help, for deliverance.

"In that of the Vittorias few words were spoken save as now and again
the voice of the aged Rozel or that of his venerable wife, his
daughter, or Magdalen Goneto, broke the awful silence with some promise
from the Book of books to those who trust in the Lord.

"Maurice, whose father and brothers were away with the army, torn with
anxiety for mother, sisters, and betrothed alike, persuaded the former
to follow Magdalen's example in repairing to the house of the Vittorias,
that such efforts as he was able to put forth in his crippled condition
might be made in their common defence.

"Freely would he shed the last drop of his blood to shield them from
harm, but, alas! what match was he for even one of the horde of
desperadoes that would soon be upon them? what could he do? how speedily
would he be overpowered! Help _must_ be obtained.

"He stole out through the garden to learn the latest news from the
frontier.

"The fourteenth courier had just returned in sadness; the commandant was
still incredulous; still firm in his refusal to render