que to personate Diane at the funeral mass, and also
purposely detained Narcisse to prevent the detection of the escape; but
the discovery that her niece had accompanied his flight had filled her
with shame and furry.

Pursuit had been made towards La Rochelle, but when the neighbourhood
of the King of Navarre became known, no doubt was entertained that the
fugitives had joined him, and Narcisse, reserving his vengeance for the
family honour till he should encounter Berenger, had hotly resumed the
intention of pouncing on Eustacie at Pont de Dronne, which had been
decided on upon the report of the Italian spy, and only deferred by his
father's death. This once done, Berenger's own supposed infidelity would
have forced him to acquiesce in the annulment of the original marriage.

It had been a horrible gulf, and Berenger shuddered as one who had
barely struggled to the shore, and found his dear ones safe, and his
enemies shattered and helpless on the strand. They hurried on so as to
be in time. The priest, a brave and cautious man, who had often before
carried the rites of the Church to dying men in the midst of the enemy,
was in a secular dress, and when Berenger had given the password, and
obtained admittance they separated, and only met again to cross the
bridge. They found Osbert and Humfrey on guard, saying that the sufferer
still lingered, occasionally in a terrible paroxysm of bodily anguish,
but usually silent, except when he upbraided Osbert with his master's
breach of promise or incapacity to bring a priest through his Huguenot
friends.

Such a taunt was on his tongue when Pere Colombeau entered, and checked
the scoff by saying, 'See, my son, you have met with more pardon and
mercy even on earth than you had imagined possible.'

There was a strange spasm on Narcisse's ghastly face, as though he
almost regretted the obligation forced on him, but Berenger scarcely
saw him again. It was needful for the security of the priest and the
tranquillity of the religious rites that he should keep watch outside,
lest any of the more fanatical of the Huguenots should deem it their
duty to break in on what they had worked themselves into believing
offensive idolatry.

His watch did not prove uncalled for. At different times he had to plead
the King's safe-conduct, and his own honour, and even to defend his own
Protestantism by appealing to his wounds and services. Hearts were not
soft enough then for the cruelty of distur