onward without a moment's pause, springing
from rock to rock, sliding down precipices, scaling giddy heights,
leaping chasms which at another time they would not have dared to
attempt, and tearing through the rushing, roaring mountain torrents
already greatly swollen by the rain.

"They reached the last of these, and dashing through it, were presently
in sight of La Tour, when the tolling of the vesper bell of the convent
of the Recollets--the preconcerted signal for the assassins to sally
forth--smote upon their ears.

"'Too late! too late!' cried Rudolph Goneto hoarsely.

"'But if too late to save, we will avenge!' responded a chorus of deep
voices, as with frantic haste they sped over the intervening space.

"The next moment the tramp of their feet and the clang of their arms
were heard in the streets of the town. Windows and doors flew open and
with cries and tears of joy and thankfulness, wives, children, and aged
parents gathered about them almost smothering them with caresses.

"The storm, which had seemed to seal their doom, had proved their
salvation--preventing some of the murderers from reaching the rendezvous
in season, and so terrifying the others that they dared not attempt the
deed alone; especially as it had already begun to be rumored that troops
were on the march to the threatened valley.

"Rudolph found himself encircled by his mother's arms, her kisses and
tears warm upon his cheek.

"He held her close, both hearts too full for speech. Then a single word
fell from the soldier's lips, 'Lucia?'

"'Safe.'

"Darting into the house, guided by some subtle instinct, he stood the
next moment in the upper room where she knelt by her sister's couch, the
two mingling their tears and thanksgivings together.

"All was darkness, but at sound of the well-known step Lucia sprang up
with a cry of joy. 'Saved!'

"Rudolph's emotions, as he held her to his heart, were too big for
utterance.

"Some one entered with a light. It was Magdalen, and behind her came
Maurice, pale, haggard, and dripping with rain.

"Bianca's heart gave a joyous bound. He too was safe.

"But a tumult of voices from below--some stern, angry, threatening,
others sullen, dogged, defiant, or craven with abject terror--attracted
their attention.

"Magdalen set down the light and hurried away in the direction of the
sounds, Rudolph and Lucia following.

"A number of the Waldenses, sword in hand, and eyes flashing with
righteous i