“He held her close, both hearts too full for speech.  Then a single word fell from the soldier’s lips, ‘Lucia?’

“‘Safe.’

“Darting into the house, guided by some subtle instinct, he stood the next moment in the upper room where she knelt by her sister’s couch, the two mingling their tears and thanksgivings together.

“All was darkness, but at sound of the well-known step Lucia sprang up with a cry of joy.  ‘Saved!’

“Rudolph’s emotions, as he held her to his heart, were too big for utterance.

“Some one entered with a light.  It was Magdalen, and behind her came Maurice, pale, haggard, and dripping with rain.

“Bianca’s heart gave a joyous bound.  He too was safe.

“But a tumult of voices from below—­some stern, angry, threatening, others sullen, dogged, defiant, or craven with abject terror—­attracted their attention.

“Magdalen set down the light and hurried away in the direction of the sounds, Rudolph and Lucia following.

“A number of the Waldenses, sword in hand, and eyes flashing with righteous indignation, were gathered about two of the would-be assassins, caught by them almost on the threshold of the cottage.

“Their errand who could doubt? and Henri had recognized them as his and Lucia’s pursuers of the morning.

“She too knew them instantly, and clung pale with affright to Rudolph’s arm, while he could scarce restrain himself from rushing upon, and running them through with his sword.

“‘Spare us, sirs,’ entreated Andrea, quaking with fear under the wrathful glance of the father of the maidens, ’spare us; we have not harmed you or yours.’

“’Nor plotted their destruction?  Miserable wretch, ask not your life upon the plea that it is not forfeit.  Can I doubt what would have been the fate of my wife and daughters had they fallen into your hands?’

“‘But your religion teaches you to forgive.’

“‘True; yet also to protect the helpless ones committed to my care.’

“’We will leave your valleys this hour; never to set foot in them again.’

“’Ah! yet how far may we trust the word of one whose creed bids him keep no faith with heretics?’

“‘” Vengeance is Mine, I will repay."’

“It was the voice of the aged Rozel which broke the momentary silence.

“Vittoria sheathed his sword.  Not his to usurp the prerogative of Him who had that night given so signal deliverance to His ’Israel of the Alps.’”

“Is that all?” asked Lulu, drawing a long breath, as Mr. Dinsmore refolded the manuscript and gave it back to his daughter.

“Yes,” he said, “the author has told of the deliverance of the imperilled ones, and that Vittoria refrained from taking vengeance upon their cowardly foes; and so ends the story of that night of terror in the valleys.”

“But were all the Waldenses equally forbearing, grandpa?” asked Zoe.