“General Godin’s mind had been filled with conflicting emotions while Maurice spoke; his humanity, his honor as a soldier, his duty to the government, were struggling for the mastery.

“’Ought he to march without orders or even the knowledge of his superiors? and that too with no more certain proof of the illegal assembling of those who were said to be plotting against the peace and safety of the Vaudois families?’

“Yet there was no time to reconnoitre ere the dire mischief might be done.  His humanity at last prevailed over more prudential considerations.  He commanded the brigade of Waldenses to march instantly, and himself followed with another division.

“Bianca Vittoria had been carried to an upper room, where all the family were now gathered about her bed.

“With unutterable anguish the mother looked upon her two lovely daughters in the early bloom of womanhood, the babe sleeping upon her breast, the little ones clinging to her skirts, her aged and infirm parents, all apparently doomed to a speedy, violent death—­and worse than death.  Her own danger was well-nigh forgotten in theirs.

“Utter silence reigned in that room and the adjoining one, at this time occupied by Magdalen and the mother and sisters of Maurice; every ear was strained to catch the sound of the approaching footsteps of the assassins, or of the longed-for deliverers; a very short season would now decide their fate.  Oh, would help never come!

“Lucia, kneeling beside her sister’s couch, clasping one thin, white hand in hers, suddenly dropped it and sprang to her feet.

“‘How fast it grows dark! and what was that?’ as a heavy, rolling sound reverberated among the mountains; ‘artillery?’ and her tones grew wild with terror.

“‘Thunder; the heavens are black with clouds,’ said Magdalen, coming in and speaking with the calmness of despair.

“A heavy clap nearly drowned her words, then followed crash on crash; the rain came down in torrents—­the wind, which had suddenly risen to almost a hurricane, dashing it with fury against walls and windows; the darkness became intense except as ever and anon the lurid glare of the lightning lit up the scene for an instant, giving to each a momentary glimpse of the pale, terror-stricken faces of the others.

“‘Alas, alas, no help can reach us now!’ moaned Sara, clasping her babe closer to her breast, ’no troops can march over our fearful mountain-passes in this terrific storm and thick darkness. We must die!’

“’Oh, God of our fathers, save us! let us not fall into the hands of those ruffians, who—­more to be feared than the wild beasts of the forest—­would rob us of honor and of life!’ cried Lucia, falling upon her knees again, and lifting hands and eyes to heaven.

“‘Amen!’ responded the trembling voice of Rozel.  ’Lord, Thine hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither Thine ear heavy that it cannot hear!’