d prostrate on the floor,
supported by the prisoner, and with fresh shrieks about 'Mesdames! a
priest! a doctor!' away they rushed. The two brothers were not in much
less consternation, only they retained their senses. Berenger loosened
the ruff and doublet, and bade Philip practice that art of letting blood
which he had learnt for his benefit. When Madame de Selinville and her
aunt, with their escort, having been met half-way from Bellaise, arrived
sooner than could have been expected, they found every door open from
hall to entrance gateway, not a person keeping watch, and the old man
lying deathlike upon cushions in the hall, Philip bandaging his arm,
and Berenger rubbing his temples with wine and the hottest spices on the
table. 'He is better--he is alive,' said Berenger, as they entered; and
as both ladies would have fallen on him with shrieks and sobs, he bade
them listen, assured them that the only chance of life was in immediate
care, and entreated that bedding might be brought down, and strong
essences fetched to apply to the nose and temples. They obeyed, and the
sister infirmarer had arrived from the convent, he had opened his eyes,
and, as he saw Berenger, tried to murmur something that sounded like
_'Mon fils.'_

'He lives!--he speaks!--he can receive the sacraments!' was the
immediate exclamation; and as preparations began to be made, the
brothers saw that their presence was no longer needed, and returned to
their own tower.

'So, sir,' said the gendarme sergeant, as they walked down the passage,
'you did not seize the moment for escape.'

'I never thought of it,' said Berenger.

'I hope, sir, you will not be the worse for it,' said the sergeant. 'An
honourable gentleman you have ever proved yourself to me, and I will
bear testimony that you did the poor old gentleman no hurt; but nobles
will have it their own way, and pay little heed to a poor soldier.'

'What do you mean, friend?'

'Why, you see, sir, it is unlucky that you two happened to be alone
with M. le Chevalier. No one can tell what may be said when they seek an
occasion against a person.'

To the brothers, however, this suggestion sounded so horrible and
unnatural, that they threw it from them. They applied themselves at
every moment possible to enlarging Osbert' hole, and seeking an outlet
from the dungeon; but this they had not been able to discover, and it
was necessary to be constantly on their guard in visiting the vaults,
lest the