‘I command you, as your officer—­forward!’ he said; and though one wavered, the others stepped forward.

Then I saw there was only one thing to do.  A big stone image stood near me.  Before they could touch me I had fallen on my knees, and wound my arms so closely round it that they could not unloose them without absolute violence and injury.  I knew that in such a position it was impossible even to go through the semblance of marrying me.  I felt Armand’s hand and the Abbe’s try to untwist my arms and unclasp my hands, but they could not prevail against that grip with which I held, and I spoke not one word.

At last they drew back, and I heard them say one to the other:  ’It is of no use.  She must yield in time.  Leave her.’

I heard them all clank out with their spurs, and lock the door, and then I looked up.  There was no other way out of the little convent chapel, which looked as if it had been unused for years, except perhaps for an annual mass, but the altar had been dressed in preparation for the sacrilege that was intended.  Then I turned to the figure to which I had clung, and I was encouraged by seeing that it bore the emblems of St. Margaret, my own patroness.  I knew very well that my brother and sister would shake their heads, and say it was a superstitious fancy, if they called it by no harder name; but they did not understand our feelings towards the saints.  Still it was not to St. Margaret I turned to help me, but to St. Margaret’s Master and mine, when I prayed to be delivered from the mouth of the dragon, though I did trust that she was entreating for me.

I would not move away from her, I might need to clasp her at any moment; but I prayed fervently before the altar, where I knelt till I grew faint with weariness; and then I sat at her feet, and thought over all the possibilities of being rescued.  If my sister were free I knew she would leave no stone unturned to deliver me, and that my rescue could be only a matter of time; but she might also have been seized, and if so—–?  Anyhow, I was absolutely determined that they should kill me before I consented to become the wife of M. de Lamont, or to give him any right over my son.

After a time the door was cautiously opened, and one of the dragoons came in, having taken off his boots and spurs that he might move more noiselessly.

‘Madame,’ he said, ’pardon me.  I loved our brave captain; I know you.  You sent me new linen in the hospital.  Captain de Bellaise was a brave man.’

’And you will see no wrong done to his widow and child, my good friend?’ I cried.

‘Ah, Madame, you should command all of us.  But we are under orders.’

’And that means doing me unmanly violence, unworthy of a brave soldier!  You cannot help me?’

’If Madame would hear me!  The gentlemen are at dinner.  They may sit long over their wine to give them courage to encounter Madame again.  My comrade, Benlot, is on duty.  I might find a messenger to Madame’s friends.’