Rosette was a girl of singular resolution. Through what
perils she passed unscathed this story will tell.]

Rosette in Peril

A Story of the War of La Vendee

BY

M. LEFUSE

A loud knocking sounded at the door.

"Jean Paulet," cried a voice, "how much longer am I to stand and knock?
Unbar the door!"

"Why, it is Monsieur de Marigny!" exclaimed the farmer, and hurried to
let his visitor in.

"Ah, Jean Paulet! You are no braver than when I saw you last!" laughed
the tall man who entered, wrapped in a great cloak that fell in many
folds. "I see you have not joined those who fight for freedom, but have
kept peacefully to your farm. 'Tis a comfortable thing to play the
coward in these days! And I would that you would give a little of the
comfort to this small comrade of mine." From beneath the shelter of his
cloak a childish face peered out at the farmer and his wife.

"Ah, Monsieur! that is certainly your little Rosette!" exclaimed Madame
Paulet. "Yes, yes, I have heard of her--how you adopted the poor little
one when her father was dead of a bullet and her mother of grief and
exposure; and how, since, you have loved and cared for her and kept her
ever at your side!"

"Well, that is finished. We are on the eve of a great battle--God grant
us victory!" he said reverently--"and I have brought the little one to
you to pray you guard and shelter her till I return again. What, Jean
Paulet! You hesitate? Before this war I was a good landlord to you. Will
you refuse this favour to me now?" asked de Marigny, looking sternly
down on the farmer from his great height.

"I--I do not say that I refuse--but I am a poor defenceless man; 'tis a
dangerous business to shelter rebels--ah, pardon! loyalists--in these
times!" stammered Jean Paulet.

"No more dangerous than serving both sides! Some among this republic's
officers would give much to know who betrayed them, once, not long ago.
You remember, farmer? What if _I_ told tales?" asked de Marigny grimly.

"Eh! but you will not!" exclaimed the terrified man. "No, no! I am safe
in your hands; you are a man of honour, Monsieur--and the child shall
stay! Yes, yes; for your sake!"

De Marigny caught up Rosette and kissed her. "Sweetheart, you must stay
here in safety. What? You are 'not afraid to go'? No, but I am afraid to
take you, little one. Ah, vex me not by crying; I will soon come to you
again!" He took a step towards the farmer. "Jean Paulet, I leave my
treasure i