The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and his descendants

STORY OF A HUGUENOT'S SWORD. 113
command of Louis XIV. was that of a divinity. No Chap^i.
man in the realm, however great and powerful, ever ^j^^
dreamed of disobeying it. Adversa-
"^^•
"You are right. Sir," said the dragoon, muttering
like a hyena disappointed of his feast; "I have no
more to say, except that there is nothing in the order
of his Majesty forbidding a search for other
heretics, not of your household,"
"Search," said Dupuy, coldly.
It was done, but no one found— the hiding-place
of Fontaine being perfectly concealed. The soldiers
passed and repassed in front of it, without suspect-
ing for a moment how near they were to their prey.
In a quarter of an hour Jarnilloc sounded to
horse, and the troop clattered out of the courtyard.
"I will visit you again upon the first day of December,
cursed heretic that you are !" cried the dragoon,
shaking his clenched hand at Dupuy. "I'll
yet lick your blood !"
"I regret that your birth prevents my giving you
an opportunity at present, in single combat, Mes-
sire Jarnilloc," was Dupuy's reply, with a bow,
which made Jarnilloc nearly faint with rage.
"One of the canaille, really," said Dupuy, as he
turned to his wife; "but now— to work— action!"
VI.—Two Pistol Shots.
Dupuy dropped a heavy bar, to which a chain Two
was affixed, across the door, and then turned to his |^^J^°J
wife.
The expression of his countenance was absolutely
ferocious. The assumed calmness with which he
had encountered the captain of dragoons gave way;
and his frame shook with rage. Extending his
hands, he seemed unconsciously to clutch at some
weapon; and almost a shudder of fury convulsed
the muscles.
The strong and burning hands were imprisoned
in two little white ones, as soft as down : the neck,
with its swollen and distorted arteries, was clasped