eding me in the least.

"Sir, you are free to put any construction on my act you choose,
as I cannot make you answer for your words," I interrupted again.

"One from whom I have striven with all my power as a priest to keep
you?" he went on, still ignoring me. "Since that has failed, I
must try and appeal to your gratitude towards her who was your
protector when you were but a girl. In some sense I stand as her
representative, and I charge you by her memory to renounce this
last folly which has led you here."

"Stop, Gaston!" she cried. "Every word you say would be an insult
did it come from another. But I have too high a reverence for you
as a priest, the remembrance of your unfailing charity is too
strong, to answer except by an explanation. Never mind appearances!
I am here in this disguise because it afforded the only possible
escape from the town, and my object is to carry word to M. de Levis
that everything within the walls is in the most complete disorder,
the garrison is mad with drink, and he has but to march on the town
at once to effect its capture."

"Are you dreaming?--the town helpless?"

"Yes, it is his, if he can but advance without delay."

"Then, forgive me! I was wrong--a hundred times wrong!"

"Just one moment. My meeting with M. de Maxwell is as much by chance
as your meeting with me," she added, with a decision which I thought
perhaps unnecessary.

"Forgive me, Marguerite," he repeated, in his usual tone; "and you
too, Chevalier. I wronged you both. Now to make amends. Will you
lead us to the General?" he said, turning to me.

"Come," I said, and we each held out a hand to Margaret.

"Stand!" thundered a voice in English at two paces from us. "You
are all covered!"

CHAPTER XXVII

I FIND A KEY TO MY DILEMMA

"We are your prisoners!" I answered, instantly, for the slightest
hesitation on such occasions may lead to the most serious results.
Explanations can be made subsequently, but a bullet from an
over-zealous musket can never be recalled.

In an instant they were beside us, a sergeant and six men, all
Highlanders. I was about to speak again, but before I could do so
Margaret stepped up to the sergeant, and taking him by the sleeve
whispered a few words in his ear. He thereupon gave some instructions
in Gaelic to his men, who closed round me and the priest, and,
moving off a few paces with her, they spake earnestly together for
a little. What she said I do not know, but in