l! would Odetti,
would Brianza have warned us, were the danger not imminent? And do not
the annals of your own Switzerland furnish examples of similar plots?'

"'True, too true! yet--'

"But at this moment the sixteenth courier came panting up to pour out,
in an agony of haste and fear, the same tale of contemplated wholesale
massacre, and the story reaching the ears of the Vaudois troops they
gathered about the general, imploring, _demanding_ to be sent instantly
to the aid of their menaced wives and children.

"General Godin's mind had been filled with conflicting emotions while
Maurice spoke; his humanity, his honor as a soldier, his duty to the
government, were struggling for the mastery.

"'Ought he to march without orders or even the knowledge of his
superiors? and that too with no more certain proof of the illegal
assembling of those who were said to be plotting against the peace and
safety of the Vaudois families?'

"Yet there was no time to reconnoitre ere the dire mischief might be
done. His humanity at last prevailed over more prudential
considerations. He commanded the brigade of Waldenses to march
instantly, and himself followed with another division.

"Bianca Vittoria had been carried to an upper room, where all the family
were now gathered about her bed.

"With unutterable anguish the mother looked upon her two lovely
daughters in the early bloom of womanhood, the babe sleeping upon her
breast, the little ones clinging to her skirts, her aged and infirm
parents, all apparently doomed to a speedy, violent death--and worse
than death. Her own danger was well-nigh forgotten in theirs.

"Utter silence reigned in that room and the adjoining one, at this time
occupied by Magdalen and the mother and sisters of Maurice; every ear
was strained to catch the sound of the approaching footsteps of the
assassins, or of the longed-for deliverers; a very short season would
now decide their fate. Oh, would help never come!

"Lucia, kneeling beside her sister's couch, clasping one thin, white
hand in hers, suddenly dropped it and sprang to her feet.

"'How fast it grows dark! and what was that?' as a heavy, rolling sound
reverberated among the mountains; 'artillery?' and her tones grew wild
with terror.

"'Thunder; the heavens are black with clouds,' said Magdalen, coming in
and speaking with the calmness of despair.

"A heavy clap nearly drowned her words, then followed crash on crash;
the rain came down in