Maitre Gardon, who had hitherto seen her as a childish though cheerful and patient sufferer, was greatly amazed, but he could not regard her project as practicable, or in his conscience approve it; and after a moment’s consideration he answered, ’I am a man of peace, Lady, and seldom side with armed men, nor would I lightly make one of those who enroll themselves against the King.’

‘Not after all the Queen-mother had done!’ cried Eustacie.

‘Martyrdom is better than rebellion,’ quietly answered the old man, folding his hands.  Then he added ’Far be it from me to blame those who have drawn the sword for the faith; yet, Lady, it would not be even thus with your peasants; they might not follow you.’

‘Then,’ said Eustacie, with flashing eyes, ’they would be traitors.’

‘Not to the King,’ said the pastor, gently.  ’Also, Lady, how will it be with their homes and families—­the hearths that have given you such faithful shelter?’

‘The women would take to the woods,’ readily answered she; ’it is summer-time, and they should be willing to bear something for my sake.  I should grieve indeed,’ she added, ’if my uncle misused them.  They have been very good to me, but then they belong to me.’

’Ah!  Lady, put from you that hardening belief of seigneurs.  Think what their fidelity deserves from their Lady.’

’I will be good to them!  I do love them!  I will be their very good mistress,’ said Eustacie, her eyes filling.

‘The question is rather of forbearing than of doing,’ said the minister.

‘But what would you have me do?’ asked Eustacie, petulantly.

’This, Lady.  I gather that you would not return to your relations.’

’Never! never!  They would rend my babe from me; they would kill her, or at least hide her for ever in a convent—­they would force me into this abhorrent marriage.  No—­no—­no—­my child and I would die a hundred deaths together rather than fall into the hands of Narcisse.’

’Calm yourself, Lady; there is no present fear, but I deem that the safest course for the little one would be to place her in England.  She must be heiress to lands and estates there; is she not?’

‘Yes; and in Normandy.’

’And your husband’s mother lives?  Wherefore then should you not take me for your guide, and make your way—­more secretly than would be possible with a peasant escort—­to one of your Huguenot towns on the coast, whence you could escape with the child to England?’

’My belle-mere has re-married!  She has children!  I would not bring the daughter of Ribaumont as a suppliant to be scorned!’ said Eustacie, pouting.  ‘She has lands enough of her own.’

‘There is no need to discuss the question now,’ said M. Gardon, gravely; for a most kind offer, involving much peril and inconvenience to himself, was thus petulantly flouted.  ’Madame will think at her leisure of what would have been the wishes of Monsieur le Baron for his child.’