as they rode back along the way where Madame de
Ste. Petronelle had first become alarmed. She had now quite resumed her
authority and position, and promised protection and employment to Barbe
and Trudchen. The former had tears for 'her boy,' thus cut off in his
sins; but it was what she always foreboded for him, and if her old
master was not thankful for the grace offered him, she was for him.

King Rene, who believed not a word against his nephew, intended himself
to conduct the ladies to the Court of his sister, and see them in safety
there. Jean, however, after the first excitement, so drooped as she
rode, and was so entirely unable to make answer to all the kindness
around her, that it was plain that she must rest as soon as possible,
and thus hospitality was asked at a little country castle, around which
the suite encamped. A pursuivant was, however, despatched by Rene to
the French Court to announce the deliverance of the princesses, and Sir
Patrick sent his son David with the party, that his wife and the poor
Dauphiness might be fully reassured.

There was a strange stillness over Chateau le Surry when David rode in
triumphantly at the gate. A Scottish archer, who stood on guard, looked
up at him anxiously with the words, 'Is it weel with the lassies?' and
on his reply, 'They are sain and safe, thanks, under Heaven, to Geordie
Douglas of Angus!' the man exclaimed, 'On, on, sir squire, the saints
grant ye may not be too late for the puir Dolfine! Ah! but she has been
sair misguided.'

'Is my mother here?' asked David.

'Ay, sir, and with the puir lady. Ye may gang in without question. A'
the doors be open, that ilka loon may win in to see a princess die.'

The pursuivant, hearing that the King and Dauphin were no longer in the
castle, rode on to Chalons, but David dismounted, and followed a stream
of persons, chiefly monks, friars, and women of the burgher class, up
the steps, and on into the vaulted room, the lower part shut off by a
rail, against which crowded the curious and only half-awed multitude,
who whispered to each other, while above, at a temporary altar, bright
with rows of candles, priests intoned prayers. The atmosphere was
insufferably hot, and David could hardly push forward; but as he
exclaimed in his imperfect French that he came with tidings of Madame's
sisters, way was made, and he heard his mother's voice. 'Is it? Is it my
son? Bring him. Oh, quickly!'

He heard a little, faint, gasping