“The fearful tidings flew from house to house, and in the wildest terror the feeble folk began to make what preparations they could for self-defence; by Odetti’s advice barricading the streets and houses, collecting missiles to hurl down from the upper windows upon the heads of the assassins, and at the same time dispatching messenger after messenger to General Godin, the Swiss officer in command of the troops on the frontier, telling of the danger and praying for instant aid.

“But he, alas! unable, in the nobility of his soul, to credit the existence of a plot so atrocious, turned a deaf ear to their entreaties, declaring his conviction that the alarm was groundless—­a mere panic—­and that his troops could not be spared to go on so useless an errand.

“As one courier after another returned with this same disheartening report, the terror and despair were such as to beggar description.

“Lucia Vittoria, recalling, with many a shudder of wild affright, the evil looks and fierce words and gestures of her pursuers of the morning, resolved to defend her own, her mother’s, and sister’s honor to the last gasp.

“’The terrible excitement of the hour seemed to give her unnatural strength for her task of lifting and carrying stones and fragments of rock to be used in repelling the expected assault.  Assisted by Henri and every member of the family capable of the exertion, she toiled unceasingly while anything yet remained to be done.

“In the midst of their exertions Magdalen Goneto suddenly appeared among them.

“‘I have heard, and I come to live or die with you, dear friends,’ she said, and fell to work with the others.

“At length all was completed, and they could only await in dreadful suspense the coming of events.  They had continued to importune the commandant, but with no better success than at first.

“In the closed and barricaded dwellings hearts were going up to God in agonized prayer for help, for deliverance.

“In that of the Vittorias few words were spoken save as now and again the voice of the aged Rozel or that of his venerable wife, his daughter, or Magdalen Goneto, broke the awful silence with some promise from the Book of books to those who trust in the Lord.

“Maurice, whose father and brothers were away with the army, torn with anxiety for mother, sisters, and betrothed alike, persuaded the former to follow Magdalen’s example in repairing to the house of the Vittorias, that such efforts as he was able to put forth in his crippled condition might be made in their common defence.

“Freely would he shed the last drop of his blood to shield them from harm, but, alas! what match was he for even one of the horde of desperadoes that would soon be upon them? what could he do? how speedily would he be overpowered!  Help must be obtained.

“He stole out through the garden to learn the latest news from the frontier.