s most dangerous amidst the
simplicity of nature."

"Forewarned, forearmed; remember," said De Valette, laughing, "I am a
true friend, but I could ill brook a rival."

CHAPTER VI.

Good my complexion! dost thou think, though
I am caparisoned like a man, I have a doublet
And hose in my disposition?

SHAKSPEARE.

De Valette and Stanhope continued to watch the procession till it
stopped before the door of a comfortable house, which was occupied by La
Tour and his family. There, the music ceased, the soldiers filed off to
their respective quarters, and the new married pair received the parting
benediction of father Gilbert. That ceremony concluded, the priest
retired, as if dreading the contamination of any festive scene, attended
only by the two boys who had officiated as torch-bearers,--a service
generally performed in the Catholic church by young persons initiated
into the holy office.

"By our lady, my good uncle," said De Valette to La Tour, who had seen,
and lingered behind to speak with him, "our Puritan allies would soon
withdraw their aid from us, should they chance to see, what I have
witnessed this evening;--by my faith, they would think the devil was
keeping a high holiday here, and that you had become his chief favorite,
and prime minister."

"Your jesting is ill-timed, Eustace," returned La Tour; "you have,
indeed, arrived at an unlucky hour, but we must make the best of it;
and, be sure that none of the New-England men leave the ships to-night.
I hope we shall not need their succors long, if you have aimed a true
blow at D'Aulney. Say, where have you left him?"

"We have driven him back to his strong hold. But more of that
hereafter,--Mr. Stanhope waits to speak with you."

"Mr. Stanhope is very welcome," said La Tour, advancing cordially to
meet him; "and I trust no apology is necessary for the confusion in
which he finds us."

"None, certainly," returned Stanhope; "and I trust you will not suffer
me to cause any interruption. I am not quite so superstitious," he
added, smiling, "as to fear contagion from accidentally witnessing
forms, which are not altogether agreeable to my conscience."

"You deserve to be canonized for your liberality," said De Valette; "for
I doubt if there could be another such rare example found, in all the
New England colonies. We Hugonots," he continued, with affected gravity,
"account ourselves less rigid than your self-denying sect, and ar