d in utter despair!
the child rushed into the hall with her maid; terrified and crying
aloud she threw herself into her father's arms; the latter tried to
comfort her, but one could see in his pale countenance, that he himself
entertained but little hope. "I will protect you as long as I can,"
cried he, "but the multitude appears too great to allow of my defending
the house." Fire! fire! cried a hundred voices from without at the same
time, and lighted fire brands were seen through the windows! at that
moment the door was shaken, by large trees, which were thrown against
it like battering rams. "Oh heavens!" cried the priest, while his teeth
chattered, "had I but the tenth part of my former courage,--but I am
not at all prepared for this, I have slept a little already, which has
completely relaxed my spirit." He took off his hat, "how impolite I
am!" sighed he, but it was almost laughable, even in that moment, that
under this he still wore his night-cap, without being aware of it, and
in wandering about in every corner of the hall, he carried his hat in
his hand. The huntsman now stole in, took his loaded gun from the
shelf, and placed himself quietly by the chimney; "whither are you
going" exclaimed Edmond, "out with the rifle, you must all defend
yourselves!" "Impossible," stammered the man, "give up the old villain,
otherwise the whole house is lost, I know the Camisards." "Scoundrel!"
thundered the young man--"where is the miller? Still in bed? all of
you, you miserable varlets, shall defend this place with me, nay, even
that weak, effeminate boy shall make common cause with us."

"The hermit was praying on the ground, all were shouting confusedly
in the hall, but no word was heard distinctly; all was confounded
with the storm, which every moment became more violent without. The
window-frames were demolished, the door cracked and appeared to give
way, when, with an apparent air of indifference, the young miller
entered, carelessly tying his neckerchief and said: 'Let me out by the
back-door, I will speak to the enraged multitude,--quick, give me the
key!' These last words were uttered in a tone of command. The old Lord
looked at him, took the key from the wall, and opened the door to him
himself, the youth went round to the other side of the house. Edmond
posted himself with a loaded gun opposite the door, in order to fire
among the assailants, in case they succeeded in forcing an entrance.
Suddenly a tremendous sho