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

THE MAEQUIS. 295
They shall feel the rack, and the pulley,
and the fire ; they shall die by inches, with
all the torture possible. I will flay alive
that man David, who is your uncle, and
leave the manner of his death as a proverb
to posterity."
" Grod, art thou in heaven ? Dost
thou hear ? What can I do ? My mother,
I wept over thy grave, but now I rejoice
over thy death. Forswear my faith I
cannot, even to save them, but to sacrifice
my worldly happiness, in this there can be
no actual sin. What can I do ? I cannot
!"
" You have much in your power ; listen
to me with attention, and I will tell you
my plans. Know that we intend to cele-
brate this festival of Easter by a general
massacre, to which those of past history
shall be as nothing."
"Have pity, my Lord, pity, oh pity !"
cried Ardoine, falling at his feet, and
clasping him round his knees.