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

198 THE SIX SISTEES OF THE VALLEYS.
when you become a daughter of the true
Church."
"Oh, help, help!" screamed Ardoine.
" Is there no one to save me ? Oh, mother,
let me perish on thy grave ! Thou
art
happy, because thy soul is in heaven, and
thou knowest not what befalls thy miserable
orphan."
" Hush !
Don't scream. Here, Vil-
lalmin, help me with the girl, or she'll
struggle out of my hands."
"Oh, madness!" exclaimed Ardoine,
" to trust in a stranger. I would have
risked my life on his honour. Iolande was
right. Oh, save me ! Is there none to
help?"
" Don't cry; all will be well. How do
you think an officer and the son of the
Marquis could come to you ? His conscience
smote him for having dealings with a
heretic, and he confessed it to me, and said
that I must keep his appointment, and try
to convert you. You were to have met