“’There seems a threatening of danger, Father Rozel; evil-looking men, such as Lucia and the lad were but now describing, have been seen coming into the town for the last two or three days; till now, it is said, the Romish church, the convent of Recollets, the house of the cure, and several other Catholic houses are full of them.  What errand think you draws them hither just at this time, when nearly every able-bodied Vaudois is absent on the frontier?’ Rozel’s face reflected somewhat of the agitation and alarm in that of Maurice; but ere he could open his lips to reply, a neighbor, a young woman with a child in her arms, came rushing across the street, and calling to them in tones tremulous with excitement and affright, told of the warning just brought by Brianza’s messenger.

“Her face was white with terror, and she clasped her infant to her breast with a look of agony, as she asked, ’Can it be, oh can it be that we are all to be slain in our helplessness?  Something must be done, and that quickly.  But what, alas! can we do? our husbands, brothers, fathers are all at a distance, and the fatal hour draws near.’

“The tones of her voice and some of her words had reached the ears of those within the cottage, and they now gathered about her in an intensely excited, terrified group.  Question and answer followed in rapid succession till each knew all that she had heard.

“‘Can it be possible?’ cried Sara, ’can even popish cruelty, ingratitude, and treachery go so far? are not our brave defenders theirs also? keeping the passes against a common foe?’

“A mournful shake of the head from her aged father was the only reply, save the sobs and cries of the frightened children.

“But at that instant a horseman came dashing up the street, suddenly drew rein before their dwelling, and hastily dismounting, hurried toward them.

“‘Captain Odetti!’ exclaimed Rozel in some surprise.

“’Yes, Rozel, I come to warn you, though, alas!  I fear I am too late to prevent bloodshed,’ said the officer, sending a pitying glance from one to another of the terror-stricken group.

“’There is a conspiracy against you; the assassins are even now on foot; but if I cannot save, I will perish with you.  The honor of my religion is at stake, and I must justify it by sharing your danger.’

“‘Can it be that such designs are really entertained against us?’ asked Rozel, in trembling tones, glancing from one loved face to another with a look of keenest anguish.  ‘On what pretext?  I know of none.’

“‘The late base and cowardly surrender of Fort Mirabouc.’

“’There was but one Vaudois present, and his voice was raised against it.’

“’True, but what matters that to foes bent upon your destruction? some one was to blame, and why not make a scapegoat of the hated Vaudois?  But let us not waste time in useless discussion.  We must act.’