which she stood.

Not till near dawn was Eustacie startled from her rest by approaching
steps. 'Nurse, is all ready?' she cried. 'Can we set off? Are the horses
there?'

'No, my child; it is but my good man and Martin who would speak with
you. Do not hasten. There is nothing amiss as yet.'

'Oh, nurse,' cried Eustacie, as she quickly arranged the dress in which
she had lain down, 'the dear old farm always makes me sleep well. This
is the first time I have had no dream of the whirling wheel and fiery
gates! Oh, is it a token that HE is indeed at rest? I am so well, so
strong. I can ride anywhere now. Let them come in and tell me.'

Martin was a younger, brisker, cleverer man than Blaise, and besides
being a vassal of the young Lady, was a sort of agent to whom the Abbess
instructed many of the matters of husbandry regarding the convent lands.
He stood, like Blaise, bareheaded as he talked to little Lady, and heard
her somewhat peremptorily demand why they had not brought the horses and
men for her escort.

It was impossible that night, explained Martin. Time was needed to bring
in the farm-horses, and summon the other peasants, without whom the
roads were unsafe in these times of disorder. He and Blaise must go
round and warn them to be ready. A man could not be ready in a wink
of the eye, as Madame seemed to think, and the two peasants looked
impenetrable in stolidity.

'Laggards that you are!' cried Eustacie, petulantly, clasping her hands;
'and meantime all will be lost. They will be upon me!'

'Not so, Madame. It is therefore that I came here,' said Martin,
deferentially, to the little fuming impatient creature; 'Madame will be
far safer close at hand while the pursuit and search are going on. But
she must not stay here. This farm is the first place they will come to,
while they will never suspect mine, and my good woman Lucette will be
proud to keep watch for her. Madame knows that the place is full of
shrubs and thickets, where one half of an army might spend a fine day in
looking for the other.'

'And at night you will get together the men and convoy me?' asked
Eustacie, eagerly.

'All in good time, Madame. Now she must be off, ere the holy mothers be
astir. I have brought an ass for her to ride.'

Eustacie had no choice but compliance. None of the Orchard family could
go with her, as it was needful that they should stay at home and appear
as unconcerned as possible; but they promised to meet her at th