is big, rough soldier, who was in most
things a swaggerer, so childlike in all that touched his religion. With
this you could fetch him to his knees; with it I would cow him that I
might myself escape.

At half past five the chaplain came, having been delayed by the guard to
have his order indorsed by Captain Lancy of the Governor's household. To
him I told my plans so far as I thought he should know them, and then I
explained what I wished him to do. He was grave and thoughtful for some
minutes, but at last consented. He was a pious man, and of as honest a
heart as I have known, albeit narrow and confined, which sprang perhaps
from his provincial practice and his theological cutting and trimming.
We were in the midst of a serious talk, wherein I urged him upon matters
which shall presently be set forth, when there came a noise outside.
I begged him to retire to the alcove where my bed was, and draw the
curtain for a few moments, nor come forth until I called. He did so, yet
I thought it hurt his sense of dignity to be shifted to a bedroom.

As he disappeared the door opened, and Gabord and Alixe entered. "One
half hour," said Gabord, and went out again.

Presently Alixe told me her story.

"I have not been idle, Robert, but I could not act, for my father and
mother suspect my love for you. I have come but little to the chateau
without them, and I was closely watched. I knew not how the thing would
end, but I kept up my workings with the Governor, which is easier now
Monsieur Doltaire is gone, and I got you the freedom to walk upon the
ramparts. Well, once before my father suspected me, I said that if his
Excellency disliked your being in the Chateau, you could be as well
guarded in my father's house, with sentinels always there, until you
could, in better health, be taken to the common jail again. What was my
surprise when yesterday came word to my father that he should make
ready to receive you as a prisoner; being sure that he, his Excellency's
cousin, the father of the man you had injured, and the most loyal of
Frenchmen, would guard you diligently; he now needed all extra room in
the Chateau for the entertainment of gentlemen and officers lately come
from France.

"When my father got the news, he was thrown into dismay. He knew not
what to do. On what ground could he refuse the Governor? Yet when he
thought of me he felt it his duty to do so. Again, on what ground could
he refuse this boon to you, to whom we a