It was intensely cold, when, just as it was turning dusk, we set out
from the little village upon our projected expedition. The ground was
as hard as iron, every stream was held in icy shackles, and there was
a dull stillness in the air as if even the very sounds were frozen.
The wintry melody of the robin had ceased, the lowing of the cattle
was over, and the shrill crowing of the watchful cock heard in some
far distant farm, which once, and once only, broke the stillness as we
proceeded, made it seem more profound the moment the sound had ceased.
Notwithstanding the intensity of the cold, or rather, perhaps, as a
consequence of it, the whole ground was covered with a light white
mist. It could not be called a fog, but, together with the duskiness
of the hour, it rendered all the surrounding objects difficult to be
seen, magnifying them in size, and even seeming to distort them in
shape. There was no wind to move the light vapoury cloud that lay upon
the surface of the earth; and as we rode on, sometimes climbing high
up over the slopes where the ground was more clear, we could see the
distant stars peeping through with a faint and doubtful glimmer; but,
whenever we were upon the low grounds, nothing whatever could be seen
around us at a greater distance than twenty yards.
The arrangements which I had made were, that Morin Endem, myself, and
eight others, should keep in advance of the party till we came near
the camp of the enemy. I was then to go on alone, endeavouring to find
out the tents which the prisoner had described as the lodging of the
Baron de Blancford. As soon as we had found it, I was to return and
draw up my men; the greater part of them, with the arquebusiers, were
to remain in the nearest sheltered spot I could find, and then five or
six holding saddled horses, on two of which I had contrived to place
pillions for Louise and the baroness, were to be stationed as near as
I could bring them with safety to the camp. Having arranged all this,
I and the nine who had accompanied me in advance were to dismount, and
taking upon our backs some sacks stuffed with straw, which we had
brought from the village, we were to walk forward and attempt to enter
the camp as a foraging party.
I felt sure that the enemy, having now discovered that they were not
followed by the bulk of the Protestant army, would be, as indeed they
always were, in a very lax and careless state, and I doubted not that
the word would never be asked, and that we should be admitted without
difficulty. In the first instance, however, we had nearly been
discovered; for, in the darkness and the mist, instead of coming upon
the tents where we should have seen lights more readily, we suddenly
found ourselves at the back of a village which was stationed at the
head of the right wing, and the loud sound of merriment from within
was the first thing that gave us any intimation of our danger.
Drawing back as quietly and stealthily as possible, we passed round a
small bank of osiers which grew by a little stream, and then clearly
distinguished the tents to which I had been directed by the lights
which were seen scattered here and there, and which came dim and
enlarged through the mist. I now found the description which the man
had given so accurate, that could tell perfectly where I was at every
step; and numbering the tents onward from a large pavilion belonging
to Martigue, the fiftieth tent on that side, brought me to the spot
where the Baron de Blancford was said to be lodged.
We had ridden slowly along, skirting the bank of osiers which I have
mentioned upon a little eminence between it and the enemy's camp, and
stationing my arquebusiers and spare lances behind with the led
horses, just covered by the brow, I dismounted with the party assigned
to enter the camp. Taking our sacks upon our backs, we approached the
tents; and, to say the truth, the enterprise was both somewhat
hazardous to the undertakers thereof if it failed, and somewhat rash,
at all events. If we were taken--though we were in arms, and had every
signal of the Protestant party about us--it was not at all improbable
that, in those days, we should be hanged at once for spies. However,
we were not persons to be much daunted by the thought of consequences,
and we walked boldly forward towards the tents.
As we had skirted along from the village to the spot where I had
halted my men, we had seen nothing to give us any alarm. The buzz, the
noise, the merriment of a camp were heard, it is true, but were heard
from a distance towards the centre; and where we were there reigned
all the stillness and quietness of the suburb. No sight was to be seen
indicating human life, except every now and then, beheld through the
canvassed street, some tall form, magnified by the mist, either
accidentally crossing the light of a watch-fire, or bending down to
stir it into a brighter blaze. Not a soldier who could help it put out
the unsheltered head in that intense frost; and as the wine in the
neighbourhood was cheap and abundant, every opportunity had been given
by the generals to keep up the warmth of the body by deep potations
taken in the tents and houses.
Fixing upon the tents which I conceived to be assigned to the Baron de
Blancford, and which I had been told were six in number, I gave Moric
Endem and Andriot, who accompanied me, full directions what to do on
their part, while I, with two of the other men, proceeded to the
principal pavilion to liberate the baron and his family. Bearing,
then, our sacks upon our shoulders, we approached a little breastwork
which seemed to have been constructed on some former occasion, and,
entered a gap therein, when a soldier, who had been sitting in the
ditch beyond, started up with his pike in his hand and demanded the
password. I murmured out something that he did not hear, keeping
myself prepared, however, in case he persisted, to cut him down at
once; but he seemed little disposed to take any very exact note of the
proceedings; and, seeing the sacks, he took us, as I hoped he would,
for a foraging party, and consequently suffered us to pass without
making me repeat the word more than once, though I cannot suppose that
my reply was at all like it. As soon as we were within the camp, each
man applied himself to his task, and, without taking any note of what
the others were about, I, with two stout fellows behind me, approached
the largest of the tents, and, throwing down our sacks, I pulled back
the canvass and entered. The moment that I did so I found that I was
so far right. The Baron de Blancford was before me, seated at a table
with wine upon it and some dried fruits. He was quite alone, without
even a page; but there was a division in the tent, and I concluded the
rest of his family were in the chamber beyond.
Immediately on the entrance of myself and my two followers, he rose
and looked at us with some surprise, demanding, "What want you,
gentlemen! Do you come from the Duke de Montpensier?"
Holding up my finger for the purpose of making him understand not to
speak loud, I raised the visor of my casque, saying, "My lord, I heard
you were a prisoner contrary to the tenour of the safe conduct which
you bear, and therefore I have come at once to liberate you. Horses
and guards are waiting. If you choose to embrace the opportunity, you
may be free at once."
I never in my life beheld utter astonishment so completely depicted on
a human countenance as on his.
"Henry de Cerons," he exclaimed, gazing at me as if he could scarcely
believe his eyes, "is this true? Can this be true, or is it a dream?"
"It is true, my lord," I replied, "perfectly true. But we have no time
to lose if you would take advantage of the moment of escape. My men
are preparing your servants, and I will ensure your perfect safety to
the camp of the Prince de Condé."
He still continued to gaze at me for a moment, as if he yet could
scarcely convince himself that it was all true; but the next instant
he asked, "And do you really still, Henry, take such an interest in me
and mine as to risk your life to free us?"
"Indeed, my lord, I do," I replied; "I believe you have not understood
me rightly in former days; but my love and gratitude to you and others
that are gone, believe me, are quite as lively as any one could
require or wish."
He seemed somewhat touched, and mused a moment; but, just as he was
about to reply, the baroness entered from the inner part of the tent,
and in an instant the evil spirit seemed to come over him again.
"No," he said, "No, I must not and I cannot go. They detain me but
till they ascertain the accuracy of my safe conduct. No, sir, I fear
you have taken this trouble for nothing."
"Are you, my lord, quite decided?" I said; "for this can never be
risked again. Every moment that I stay here is, as you know, full of
peril; but the moment is before you if you choose to seize it."
While I was speaking, the baroness came round the table towards me,
gazed in may face with a look of coquettish wonder, and, ere he could
answer, exclaimed, "Good heavens, this is the young gentleman who only
suffered one to see him for a moment at Blancford! and has he really
had the generosity to come hither in order to rescue us?"
"Whatever he have come here for, madam," answered the baron, "he
comes, as you well know, in vain; for, of course, we must remain with
the king's troops till the authenticity of our safe conduct is
ascertained."
"Nay, but speak gently, baron!" said the lady; "speak gently, for
pity's sake. Surely you are indebted to him."
"I am," said the baron, "but--"
At that moment, close to where we stood, burst forth the report of a
pistol-shot, with some loud tongues speaking.
"Come you or not, my lord?" I cried; "this is the last moment."
"Of course I come not," replied the baron. "Go, go, Henry," he added,
with a momentary emotion of feeling, "I thank you, I thank you, but I
cannot come."
I left the tent instantly with some disappointment, that even in that
short moment I had not beheld Louise. The moment I was beyond the
canvass walls, however, the voice of Moric Endem met my ear, and I
darted towards the spot where we had left the sentry.
"This way, sir, this way," cried Moric, as soon as he perceived me by
the light of the fire; "I have been obliged to shoot the pikeman, and
we shall have them all upon us in a minute. See, see, they are coming
up there. Are not your friends ready? Then you must leave them, for,
by heavens, we shall have hot work before we make our escape."
"They do not come, Moric, they do not come," I cried, hurrying on
towards the gap. "Could you not have dealt with him more quietly?
Firearms make such a noise."
"He kept me off with his pike," said Moric, speaking as we hurried
along; "and, if I hadn't shot him, he would have stopped the lady."
"What lady, in the name of Heaven?" I exclaimed, pausing in
astonishment. But Moric seized me by the arm, saying,
"Come on, come on, my lord! There's no stopping to think now! I mean
the lady Andriot brought out."
I now paused not an instant, but hurried on like lightning to the spot
where the led horses were held. The mist prevented me from seeing
anything till I was close upon them; but then, to my confusion and
consternation, I beheld, seated on the pillion behind the lad Andriot,
the light, beautiful figure of Louise de Blancford, with no other
covering against the cold of the night but a thick veil thrown over
her head.
"Good God!" I exclaimed, running up, "they have made a mistake,
Louise! Dear Louise, your father will not come, and to take you back
would cost my life and that of every one with me."
"Then you shall not go, Henry," she said, instantly recognising me,
and holding out her arms towards me; "You will take care of me, you
will protect me, till I can go back to my father in safety."
"But you are not fitly clothed, dear child, for such a night as this,"
I cried. "Where is my horse? Give me the cloak from the saddlebow."
And, throwing it over her shoulders, I was clasping it around her
neck, when Moric Endem shook me violently by the arm, exclaiming,
"Mount, mount, Seigneur de Cerons, and begone! They are already in the
saddle and after us!"
I sprang upon my horse's back in a moment, snatched my spear from one
of the boys, and, turning to Andriot, exclaimed, "Do you know the way
back to the village?"
"Every step, sir," he answered, boldly.
"Away, then!" I cried, "away, on before! You, Moric, and the rest,
accompany the lady and protect her. I will soon make these pursuers
turn upon their steps."
"I stay with you, sir," replied Moric. "Arlivault and the rest, on
with the lady and the boy!"
Andriot, who was a capital horseman, dashed over the side of the hill,
crossed the little stream, and away across the lea, while I, with
Moric, galloped down to the arquebusiers by the osier bank, and the
body of lancers that I had left at the corner. We had scarcely reached
them when the horses of the pursuers stopped upon the brow of the
hill; and, though we could not see them, we could hear them shouting
as they turned towards the camp, "Torches! bring torches! They must be
down here! They cannot escape. There are many on foot, for we saw
them!"
A minute after, a glare of light, as of a number of links and torches,
appeared coming up from the camp, and we could see the figures of some
fifteen or twenty men on horseback shining out upon the red back
ground of the mingled mist and torchlight.
"Now, arquebusiers," I said, "give them one volley, then quick upon
your horses, and off back to the village."
The firearms were lowered in a moment, and, just as some fresh men, to
the amount of twenty or thirty more, were coming over the slope, our
osier bank blazed with a long line of fire. Down went five or six of
the coming horses and men; and the arquebusiers, springing on their
horses, obeyed the orders they had received.
"What say you, lances?" I cried. "We will never ride off without
striking a stroke!"
"Upon them, upon them, lucky captain!" cried the men; and, though we
had the hill against us, we galloped up with our lances levelled
against the enemy, who were already in a state of hesitation and
confusion from the unexpected fire they had encountered, and who began
to fly at the very sound of charging horse, which they could not see
sufficiently to distinguish the numbers. In this terrible state we
drove them in, one tumbling over the other, horses and torches,
officers and men, all full well frightened out of their wits, and more
than one meeting the fate of a coward by the stroke of a lance in the
back. One man had brought out, it would seem, with him the cornet of
his troop, and had very nearly got into the gap in safety. But I was
up with him just as he was struggling to push his way forward before
the other fugitives, and I caught hold of the standard pole. Raising
the staff of my lance in my hand, I struck him a blow upon the
cowardly head that felled him to the earth.
"Here, take the cornet, Moric," I cried. "And now, my men, we will
wish them good-night."
A loud laugh burst from those who heard me, which, I believe, gave to
the flyers a greater idea of our being perfectly secure in our numbers
than any other part of the affray, and I heard afterward that it was
reported in the camp of the Duke d'Anjou that I had beat up the
quarters of La Valette with five hundred men.
We then passed the stream and the osier bank in safety; and whether we
were farther pursued again or not during that night, I cannot tell.
With the horse-arquebusiers we easily came up, for they had lingered a
moment or two on the opposite slope, with some anxiety about our fate;
but we rode on for a considerable way afterward without seeing
anything of Louise or her escort, and I began to feel some
apprehensions lest they should have missed their way. The fog was
increasing in density, the frost was most intense, and, though more
than once we halted to listen if horses' feet could be distinguished,
not a sound broke the stillness of the night.
We had ridden about a league and a half, and it now, for a moment,
became a question whether we were ourselves on the right road or not;
but the unfailing sagacity of Moric Endem pointed out marks which
proved that we were not mistaken. There was a tree here that looked
like an old sniffing woman, with a bottle under her arm; there was a
small _maiterie_ there, with some trees round it, which looked like a
partridge garnished with endive; and on we went in perfect security
upon our road for two or three miles farther.
"Hark!" cried Moric Endem, as we were going over a gentle slope.
"There was a pistol-shot far off to the left. It may be a signal that
they have lost their way."
We halted and listened; and as the wind, though very light, was from
that side, I thought I heard the sound of horses' feet. I bade them
then fire an arquebus in return, and two minutes after another
pistol-shot was heard, which at once confirmed the supposition of
Moric Endem.
Turning our horses that way with a shout and a halloo, we rode on as
fast as we could, and, at the distance of about two miles to the left
of the right road, we came up with a party which proved to be that we
were in search of. Riding up to the side of Louise, I bestowed not a
few harsh words upon Master Andriot for having misled the party; and
then, taking Louise's hand in mine, I said everything I could say, in
order to put her mind at ease, that the circumstances permitted, being
surrounded by a number of people who heard every word that was spoken.
Her hand was like a piece of ice; and I found that she was suffering
much from the intense cold; yet how to assist her I could not tell. I
became, I confess, greatly alarmed about her. Nor were my fears
without some foundation, for two or three days before I had seen the
hands of one of our men so completely frostbitten as to require the
amputation of two of the fingers. Nothing, however, was to be done but
to ride on as fast as possible, and yet we were now so far from the
road that the time of our journey to the village must necessarily be
lengthened, and was, in some degree, uncertain.
After riding on for about three miles more, however, I saw a long,
irregular building on the left, and, on a nearer approach, found that
it was one of those large granaries or barns which are found scattered
about so frequently in Poitou and Sainctonge at great distances from
any habitable spot. Though it was a miserable shelter enough, yet, as
it promised to afford us a covering against the intense cold, I turned
our horses' heads thitherward, saying that, at all risks, we must
break it open in order to obtain some shelter for the young lady. Not
a little to my satisfaction, however, the door was found unlocked, and
the place completely vacant; and, on entering, we found that it was
divided into two by a wooden partition, which separated a small
space, in the shape of an ordinary room, from the great barn and
threshing-floor. This we discovered by lighting two or three coils of
match that we had brought with us; and, lifting Louise from her horse,
I carried her into the inner room in my arms, for she was so stiff
with the cold that she could hardly move.
Soldiers may, and, doubtless, have a multitude of faults; but the
tenderness and care which they can sometimes exhibit towards the weak
and the suffering, forms a strange contrast with the savage fury they
display under excitement. Nothing could exceed the kindness, the
diligence, the attention with which they crowded round to give
assistance to poor Louise, one cheering her with a kindly word,
another bringing in the pillions to make a comfortable seat for her, a
third rushing in with his arms full of apple-branches, which he had
torn down from the neighbouring trees, and which, placed on a hearth
that we found in the inner room, soon raised a cheerful and a blazing
fire.
Moric Endem, for his part, brought from his saddlebow an appendage
without which he never travelled, and which, on the present occasion,
proved of the utmost service. This was a gourd, dried in the form of a
bottle, and filled with excellent wine, and I insisted upon Louise
drinking some, which, I believe, more than anything, prevented her
from suffering severely. Some more piles of wood were soon brought in,
together with other cloaks; and Moric and the rest, having seen that
everything had been done to make Louise as comfortable as the
circumstances admitted, retired into the larger division of the barn,
to provide, as best they might, for the passing of a long winter's
night, Moric leading the way, and saying, "Better leave the seigneur
and his cousin alone. I dare say they have a great deal to say to each
other."
"Is he her cousin?" I heard one of the men say as they went out,
turning at the same time to Andriot; "I thought most likely he was her
lover."
"He is her cousin," replied Andriot. "You might almost call them
brother and sister, indeed, for they have been like such all their
lives."
I had, indeed, always felt so towards Louise de Blancford; I had loved
her as a very dear sister, with whom no word had ever been exchanged
but that of kindness and affection, and such had been simply my
sensations till the moment when, quitting her father's house, I sought
my own fortunes in the wide world. I have said that then a dream came
up before my eyes; that a vision of future happiness connected itself
with the remembrance of Louise, that I felt that I could not be happy,
that I could not even figure to myself a state of happiness without
the dear, the beloved companion of my infancy and my youth.
From that moment new and deeper feelings began to mingle with the
memory of Louise; hopes and visions, and fancies bright and
enchanting, dreams of joy and satisfaction in meeting her again;
aspirations to conquer every difficulty and overcome all resistance,
till I had raised myself high for her sake. Was this love, or merely a
dream of the fancy--a boyish fondness for the girl that had been
brought up with me? I cannot well tell, but I think not; for love can
have no greater intensity of regard and affection than I felt towards
Louise de Blancford: imagination might gild it, but does not
imagination gild love also? It wanted something, indeed. I had looked
upon Louise with fondness, I can scarcely say that it was with
admiration, for I had been so much accustomed to the sight of her
beauty that I did not know how beautiful she was, even as a girl, till
afterward, in comparing the beauty of others whom I saw with her image
in my memory, I found that there was none at all like her.
If there was anything wanting, however, to make that which I felt
towards her love of the deepest, the most intense, the tenderest, the
most passionate nature, it was wanting no longer after that night; the
dear embrace which she had given me when first we met; the touch of
her hand when we came up with her after the little skirmish; the
holding her in my arms and to my bosom as I carried her from her horse
into the building; the anxiety for her, the fear, the tenderness, the
care, gave warmer, nearer, more engaging, if not more intense
sensations to my affection for her; and from that moment I felt I
loved her with all the fire and energy of passion.
By the warmth of the fire Louise soon began to revive, her eyes to
sparkle brightly again, the natural colour to come into her lips and
cheeks, the icy hand to grow warm and soft. She had been scarcely able
to speak when we entered, but now she answered my eager words kindly
though briefly, and added a bright smile, and let her hand press mine,
to thank me more than she was able to do in words. Oh! how beautiful
did she look then, as gradually the bright returning stream of life
flowed more rapidly through her veins, and every moment seemed to
bring out some new loveliness. I cannot but think that so must have
looked the ivory statue of the Greek sculptor, when his prayer of love
was heard, and it was kindled into sudden being. She was changed, much
changed since last I saw her: she was now just sixteen; and what a
difference one year will make at that period of life! every alteration
had been an addition to the beauty that she possessed before: she was
now a woman, when I had left her a girl, and the brightness of
perfection had been added to the rich promise of beauty.
She seemed not to see or to feel that there was any change in me; the
endearing names which we had used towards each other in youth were
still employed; the terms of love and deep affection were nothing new
to us, and nothing strange; and while I called her dear Louise--my own
Louise--my sweet, dear girl, and every name expressive of the fondest
affection, it seemed all quite natural, and she murmured in reply,
"Dear, dear Henry, how glad I am to see you again!"
I may own it, for it was all harmless and pure, my lips were pressed
on hers more than once, and her hand remained clasped in mine, while
her head leaned upon my bosom. The casque I had laid aside at my first
entrance; the iron cuirass soon became a load to me, and I threw it
off also; and, smiling at me as I did so, she said, "Ah, Henry, you
now look more as you did at Blancford."
I sat down beside her on the ground, near the fire, and chafed her
hand, which was still cold, though not so intensely so as before, and
in about an hour she was nearly well again. It seemed to me, however,
that, as she recovered from the effects of the cold, she became
somewhat thoughtful, and she asked we many questions about the
adventures of that night--whether I had seen her father, and what he
had said.
I told her all exactly as it had happened; but still she seemed
anxious, and I said, "It will be easily explained, dear Louise, and
your father will understand in a moment that it was impossible to
return when the alarm was once given."
"I am afraid," she said, hesitating, "I am afraid that the baroness
will say everything that is cutting and unkind. I know what she will
say quite well. She will say that I came away with you willingly
enough, for she used always to speak in that manner at Blancford after
you went, and would never hear me mention your name, or look at all
thoughtful, without saying she was sure I wished to go and join you.
She thus tried very much to make my father angry with me; but still he
was not angry."
"And did you ever wish to come and join me, Louise!" I said.
There was a slight blush came into her cheek, but she answered at
once, "I wished every day that you were there, Henry; for I have never
had a happy hour since you were gone. We could not have been so happy,
indeed, as we used to be, but still we might have had a few sweet
hours together; but now I am afraid--though I am sure I do not know
what harm there is in being with you--she will say everything that is
unkind if she finds that I am away with you, alone, for many days."
"Do not be afraid, sweetest," I replied; "To-morrow we shall arrive at
our own camp, where you will find good Dame Marguelette and Monsieur
la Tour. Under their protection no one can say anything; and for the
night, dearest Louise, you shall be under mine, and let the man who
dare say that I do not protect you rightly."
"Oh, that you will, that you will," she said; "I have not the least
fear, Henry, with you; and I am sure, if good Monsieur la Tour be
there, I shall like being with you both much better than being near
the baroness."
Our conversation was interrupted by some one knocking at the door;
and, bidding him come in, Moric Endem presented himself, accompanied
by Andriot and a good farmer of the country, whose face was somewhat
pale, rather with surprise than fear, and who looked round the
apartment with an inquiring glance, as if asking what he was to meet
with next. They were all loaded with different sorts of provisions,
however, and it soon appeared that Moric, well knowing that there must
be some farmhouse at not many miles' distance from the barn, had set
out in search of one with Andriot, and a sufficient number of the
soldiery to give force to his entreaties for hospitality.
The farm had been found more easily than they expected; the farmer and
his wife were roused; and on the representation that there was a young
lady in want of food and assistance, joined to a promise of prompt
payment, the farmer was easily induced to rise, and bring forth
everything that his house contained which could afford us food or
comfort. Heaps of blankets and coarse woollen cloths, piles of straw
and hay, several large bottles and stoups of wine, an immense pie not
yet broken into, and sausages and _andouillettes_, with bread, and a
jar of baked apples, had been brought down by the different men for
our comfort and consolation in the barn. It was about two miles, they
said, to the farmhouse; and the good farmer offered, with every show
of readiness, to provide Louise with a lodging there till the next
morning.
At first the impression on my mind was, that, notwithstanding the cold
walk or ride which she must take, it would be better for Louise, in
every point of view, to go up to the farm at once. But I saw by the
sign the man made on entering the room in which we were, that he was a
Catholic. I remembered the proximity of the Catholic army too, and
that it would be extreme cruelty to order any of the men, in such a
night as that, to keep guard round the house. I therefore thanked him
for his offer, but declined it; and, after having paid him handsomely
for his trouble and attention, saw him depart, but not without bidding
Moric Endem take some heed of which way he turned his steps.
My next care was to make a sort of temporary bed for my sweet cousin;
and then, having taken what portion of the provisions we wanted, and
distributed the rest among the soldiery, I supped gayly and happily
with Louise, and passed nearly two hours in conversation, mingling sad
things with sweet ones, with many an affectionate word between. It was
evident to me that Louise was unconscious of any change in her own
feelings towards me, or in mine to her; and I blessed that
unconsciousness, for it suffered a thousand little tender tokens of
affection to display themselves openly in her conduct, which might
have been driven back into the shy recesses of the heart had she known
the full strength of her own sensations towards me. The only thought
that seemed to have given her uneasiness, had been altogether removed
by my telling her that we should join good La Tour on the following
day; and the joy of our meeting again seemed checkered by nothing but
some timid fears lest we should be pursued and overpowered by some
force from the Catholic camp.
Thus passed the time brightly and happily, till at length the chimes
of a distant clock, though we could hear it but faintly, told that one
hour had passed after midnight. Rest, I knew, was needful to her, and
I spread out the cloaks and blankets on the straw, so as to ensure
that no cold should there visit those young, tender limbs, and piled
up a quantity of wood upon the hearth, assuring the long continuance
of the fire by burying a considerable part in the ashes.
I then took Louise in my arms and kissed her, wishing her good-night;
but she seemed somewhat frightened at the idea of my leaving her,
asking why I could not stay beside her, and sleep by the fire too. I
could have stayed and watched her slumbers with the greatest pleasure;
but I would not have it said by any one that such had been the case.
The men were still talking together in the next chamber; the door I
had purposely left ajar; and pointing out to Louise that the only
window was up near the roof, through which no one could pass, I told
her that I would lay myself across her door till the morning, so that
she might be sure no one could come in.
"Dear Louise," I said, "I must not stay, I ought not to stay with
you."
I again held her for a moment to my heart; the colour came up brightly
into her cheek, and she hid her face for a moment on my bosom.
"Thank you, Henry, thank you," she said, when she raised her head, but
still leaving her hand in mine. "You are good as well as kind." And
from that moment, though she did not love me less, Louise felt that we
could no longer be brother and sister to each other.