e. The Bohemians, too, who passed the Pont du Gard each
spring and autumn, inspired the inmates of the chateau with no slight
dread, as it seemed more than likely they would take advantage of the
general disorder that prevailed to commit depredations upon any isolated
dwellings that tempted their cupidity. Moreover, north of Nimes there
were several villages whose fanatical and intensely excited inhabitants
were strongly urged by their leaders to make an attack upon the
Catholics, who were accused of opposition to the reform movement. It was
rumored that these people intended to march upon Nimes, burn the city
and put its population to the sword. Was there not good reason to fear
that these men, if they succeeded in this undertaking, would take it
into their heads to spread death and destruction beyond the walls of
Nimes. No apprehension was ridiculous, no prudence was exaggerated at a
time when all France trembled.

Such were the causes that had induced the Marquis and his son to prepare
for an attack on the castle. In spite of their precautions, they could
not conceal these preparations from Antoinette. She courageously
assisted them, almost thankful for the perils that menaced their safety,
since they detained Philip at the chateau. She loved him even more
devotedly than ever, and, if she shuddered sometimes at the thought that
a life so precious to her might be endangered at any moment, she
comforted herself by thinking she would at least have the consolation of
dying with him.

But the Marquis was beset by many scruples. He felt that he did wrong to
expose Antoinette to such danger, since she did not yet belong to his
family and since he had promised her dying father to protect her and her
fortune until the day of her marriage. He finally decided to send her to
England, which she would find a safer retreat than the Chateau de
Chamondrin. He confided this project to Antoinette, but he had scarcely
broached the subject when, the girl interrupted him with these words:

"If you love me, do not separate me from Philip!"

The Marquis could not resist this entreaty. Antoinette remained.

While these events were taking place at the chateau, Dolores, immured in
the convent at Arles, was patiently awaiting the termination of the
imprisonment she had voluntarily imposed upon herself. After a sojourn
of several months in this saintly house, she experienced a great relief.
Solitude had calmed her sorrow. She still suffered,