of impertinence; but
as it was he felt safer in M. de Sauvignargues' cellar than in the
palace.

But the secret of the worthy prelate's hiding place was but badly kept by
those with whom he had treated; for in a few moments a second crowd
appeared, hoping to obtain a second ransom. Unfortunately, the Sieur de
Sauvignargues, the bishop, and the bishop's servants had stripped
themselves of all their ready money to make up the first, so the master
of the house, fearing for his own safety, having barricaded the doors,
got out into a lane and escaped, leaving the bishop to his fate. The
Huguenots climbed in at the windows, crying, "No quarter! Down with the
Papists!" The bishop's servants were cut down, the bishop himself
dragged out of the cellar and thrown into the street. There his rings
and crozier were snatched from him; he was stripped of his clothes and
arrayed in a grotesque and ragged garment which chanced to be at hand;
his mitre was replaced by a peasant's cap; and in this condition he was
dragged back to the palace and placed on the brink of the well to be
thrown in. One of the assassins drew attention to the fact that it was
already full. "Pooh!" replied another, "they won't mind a little crowding
for a bishop." Meantime the prelate, seeing he need expect no mercy from
man, threw himself on his knees and commended his soul to God. Suddenly,
however, one of those who had shown himself most ferocious during the
massacre, Jean Coussinal by name, was touched as if by miracle with a
feeling of compassion at the sight of so much resignation, and threw
himself between the bishop and those about to strike, and declaring that
whoever touched the prelate must first overcome himself, took him under
his protection, his comrades retreating in astonishment. Jean Coussinal
raising the bishop, carried him in his arms into a neighbouring house,
and drawing his sword, took his stand on the threshold.

The assassins, however, soon recovered from their surprise, and
reflecting that when all was said and done they were fifty to one,
considered it would be shameful to let themselves be intimidated by a
single opponent, so they advanced again on Coussinal, who with a
back-handed stroke cut off the head of the first-comer. The cries upon
this redoubled, and two or three shots were fired at the obstinate
defender of the poor bishop, but they all missed aim. At that moment
Captain Bouillargues passed by, and seeing one man att