uty
compels me to remain, and watch over my master's property, should he be
called away. Ah, he is a kind, good master, and his daughter is an
angel. I would lay down my life for her sake, should she be deprived of
her father--and we never know what may happen in these times. Alack! I
fear that she is in society little congenial to her taste and opinion,
for she is a true Protestant, as was her sainted mother, now in heaven."

Nigel felt deeply interested in listening to the garrulous steward's
account of his young mistress, and encouraged him to go on. She had
been compelled, against her father's and her own wish, to reside at
court, for the evident purpose of perverting her faith; "but she is too
sound, and too wise to allow them to succeed," he added, "though I would
the dear young lady were back with us again."

CHAPTER FOUR.

WHAT NIGEL OVERHEARD.

All arrangements having been made, the next morning, shortly after the
sun had risen, Captain Villegagnon, with a considerable party, were
ready to set out for Havre de Grace, the port at which the squadron was
fitting out.

They purposed to avoid Paris, but had to pass through Meaux on their way
to join the high road leading to Havre.

The good admiral and Monsieur de Tourville came out to wish them
farewell as they mounted their horses, and Maitre Leroux was waiting at
a little distance, where he might have a few last words with Nigel.

"Farewell, my young friend," he said, putting a small Testament into his
hand; "you will find this an inestimable treasure. I dare not keep it
long, as it is considered treason for a Frenchman to possess God's Word,
though I have hidden away another copy to which I may go when unobserved
to refresh my soul; and, mark you, should my master and young mistress
ever have occasion to seek for your assistance, you will, I am sure,
afford it."

"I promise you that I will most gladly," answered Nigel, wondering what
the old steward could mean. Wishing his worthy friend good-bye, he
pushed on to overtake his travelling companions.

On entering Meaux, they found the town in a strange commotion, the
people all rushing with eager looks to the market-place, in which, as
they reached it, they found a large crowd assembled. They caught sight
of a number of high gibbets erected at intervals round it, while in the
centre was a circle of stakes surrounded by faggots. The travellers
would have passed on, but the dense crowd prevent