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I was, however, destined to be roused again just as the veil of night was being lifted and the chill breath of daas upon the world There was a loud knocking at the gates of Lavedan, confused noises of voices, of pattering feet, of doors opening and closing within the chateau

There was a rapping at my chamber door, and when I went to open, I found the Vico a lighted taper

"There are troopers at the gate!" he exclai Saint-Eustache has already been at work!"

For all the agitation thathim, his manner was serene as ever "What are we to do?" he asked

"You are ad them--naturally?" said I, inquiry in ed his shoulders "What could it avail us to resist them? Even had I been prepared for it, it would be futile to atteown aboutair was chill

"Monsieur le Vicoravely, "I heartily deplore that Monsieur de Marsac's affairs should have detained o As it is, I tre taken in your house will dran no ill results upon you I shall never forgive e here I should have encompassed your destruction"

"There is no question of that," he replied, with the quick generosity characteristic of the man "This is the work of Saint-Eustache Sooner or later I always feared that it would happen, for sooner or later he and I hter That knave hadhimself outwardly one of us--to what extent I was involved in the late rebellion, and I knew enough of him to be assured that if some day he should wish to do me ill, he would never scruple to turn traitor I am afraid, Monsieur de Lesperon, that it is not for you alone--perhaps not for you at all--that the soldiers have come, but forwide, and into the roore in that disfiguring deshabille--swept the Vicomtesse

"See," she cried to her husband, her strident voice raised in reproach--"see to what a pass you have brought us!"

"Anne, Anne!" he exclai to soothe her; "be calm, my poor child, and be brave"