nd, and left the cell.

Father Austin had, it appeared, learnt Judith's story from Hilda, but
this confidence also had been made under the seal of confession. He had
been confirmed in his impression of its accuracy by the tale he had
already heard from Haco, whose strange arrival was still a favourite
topic among the monks, though none of those now in the monastery had
witnessed it. The three men were now able openly to discuss the subject
in its various bearings, but they agreed that the mystery should not be
revealed till peace was restored.

Haco had from the first foreseen the danger to be apprehended from the
Voizin incursion. The monks were still further surprised to see the
being, whose gentleness had amazed them on Hilda's arrival, now a leader
of men, active, vigorous, inspiring others with the love of life with
which he himself seemed to be animated. Before the attack came Jean was
sufficiently recovered to be able to render efficient assistance; he had
ably seconded Haco in the two encounters, after which he was specially
entrusted with the defence of the Vale.

Judith was in no degree daunted by temporary failure: her nature
revelled in overcoming opposition; her spirit rose to the occasion.
Garthmund was inclined to be sulky after his second defeat, and might
have abandoned the enterprise had he dared to do so; but fear of the
sorceress kept him firm. For a month the system of blockade was tried,
varied by occasional assaults which, being made with less spirit than
the earlier ones, were easily repulsed. The blockade was not more
successful. Haco had provided ample stores for the small garrison which
he had considered sufficient to protect the promontory of Lihou,
naturally almost impregnable; and the force defending the Vale, camped
chiefly on Lancresse Common, was only nominally blockaded. The sallies,
made from time to time, were ordered more with a view of keeping up the
martial spirit of the men than with that of providing for wants, for the
friendly inhabitants of the eastern side of the island, emboldened by
recent proofs that the dreaded Voizins were not invincible, ran their
boats almost with impunity into the little creeks into which the heavier
craft of the enemy could not follow them.

Judith hardly noticed these details. Her attention was fixed upon the
key of the position. She knew that a resistance of this description was
altogether contrary to the unwarlike character of the natives; she w