The six sisters of the valleys : an historical romance - University Library

160 THE SIX SISTEES OF THE VALLEYS.
bounded gratitude for his noble hazarding
of himself for her sake, while his frank spirit
and his aversion to persecution seemed
proofs of the nobility of his soul. The
sound of his voice had charmed her ear,
and exercised a soothing influence on her
mournful heart. And yet she felt misgivings,
for she had seen the glitter of his uniform,
and she knew that he bore a sword which
Rome commanded him to sheath in the
bosom of those who were aliens in creed.
She stood irresolute whither to flee.
She could not go to La Baudene, which
had been ravaged by fire and sword, and
might be in the possession of the Irish,
and the family nucleus at Villar had been
doubtless scattered. Rodolphe, her father,
and her husband, Janavel, might have
taken refuge, as was proposed, on the
hills of Angrogna. She would go there
first, as Echard had suggested, and if she
did not find them she would then seek the
remnant who might have escaped to Eora.