of
the Lady Christine; then only he stamps his feet; he has thrown down
the apple-tree there, and kicked back his own Hector that was running
after him, which he never does at any other time; some harm will yet
befall our Edmond."

"May God watch over him," said his father; at that moment a flash of
lightning darted from the dark stormy clouds, and cast a singular light
round the vineyards, so violent a clap of thunder immediately
succeeded, that the whole of the great building rocked and creaked.
Hector crouched down by Frantz, and the little Eveline ran into the
hall with her fair locks fluttering behind her, immediately after her
entrance, the rain began to descend in torrents, the herds were seen
everywhere hastily crowding together; the shepherds hallooed to their
flocks, the dogs barked, and in the intervals of the roaring of the
tempest the rustling of the trees was heard; the streams dashed loudly
down the hills and the rain pelted heavily on the roof of the house.
Martha began to chaunt aloud from the upper story; soon after the
trampling of horses and hasty footsteps were heard. The door opened and
three men entered, the foremost of them, who had alighted from his
horse, turned to the proprietor of the house with these words:
"Necessity requires no bidding! the proverb, my Lord Counsellor of
Parliament is quite right, for otherwise I had not ventured to renew a
former acquaintance so unceremoniously: I am the vicar of St. Sulpice,
there beyond St. Hippolite, and take the liberty to beg the shelter of
your roof for a short time in this remote place, against the violence
of the storm."

"You are welcome, my friend," said the Counsellor of Parliament, "as
well as the other gentlemen; you shall have a fire to warm and dry
yourselves, and you will do well to remain here this evening, for the
storm will certainly last until night, as is usually the case in this
neighbourhood."

Frantz and another domestic had already lighted a fire in the large
chimney, and the strangers approached the friendly flames in order to
dry their garments, while the vicar begged the servant to take care of
his nag.

The other two strangers had made their request and testified their
respect for the Counsellor of Parliament only by a silent bow, during
which the little fair girl took advantage of the momentary confusion,
to approach the guests and examine them with curiosity. One of these
appeared to be a huntsman, for he wore a green