alf the weight would be gone from my spirit.'

'Fair nephew,' said the Chevalier, 'you speak as though I had any power
in the matter, and were not merely standing between you and the King.'

'Then if so,' said Berenger, 'let the King do as he will with me, but
let Philip's case be known to our Ambassador.'

'My poor cousin,' said the Chevalier, 'you know not what you ask. Did I
grant your desire, you would only learn how implacable King Henri is
to those who have personally offended him--above all, to heretics. Nor
could the Ambassador do anything for one who resisted by force of
arms the King's justice. Leave it to me; put yourself in my hands, and
deliverance shall come for him first, then for you.'

'How, sir?'

'One token of concession--one attendance at mass--one pledge that
the alliance shall take place when the formalities have been complied
with--then can I report you our own; give you almost freedom at once;
despatch our young friend to England without loss of time; so will
brotherly affection conquer those chivalrous scruples, most honourable
in you, but which, carried too far, become cruel obstinacy.'

Berenger looked at Philip; saw how faded and wan was the ruddy sun-burnt
complexion, how lank and bony the sturdy form, how listless and wasted
the hands. Then arose, bursting within him, the devoted generosity of
the French nature, which would even accept sin and ruin for self, that
so the friend may be saved; and after all, had he not gone to mass out
of mere curiosity?--did he not believe that there was salvation in the
Gallican Church? Was it not possible that, with Philip free to tell
his story at home, his own deliverance might come before he should be
irrevocably committed to Madame de Selinville? If Eustacie were living,
her claims must overthrow that which her rival was forcing upon him at
her own peril. Nay, how else could he obtain tidings of her? And for
those at home, did they deserve that he should sacrifice all, Philip
included, for their sake? The thoughts, long floating round his brain,
now surged upon him in one flood, and seemed to overwhelm in those
moments of confusion all his powers of calling up the other side of the
argument; he only had an instinct remaining that it would be a lie to
God and man alike. 'God help me!' he sighed to himself; and there was
sufficient consideration and perplexity expressed in his countenance to
cause the Chevalier to feel his cause almost gained; and ri