Three or four armed men were coming out of a cottage opposite, and she rightly conjectured that these were searching for their escaped prisoner. Rushing to her room, she shook the man awake, and hurriedly explained to him his danger. Then she flung over him a huge heap of the unwashed linen which lay there ready to her hand, leaving only a small opening at the back of the bed, through which he had barely sufficient space to breathe. She was just in time! When, Her a minute later, the door of the cottage burst open, and the soldiers appeared, the girl's head was bent over the wash-tub in the kitchen. The men's rough voices roused the old grandmother in the room within. With a terrified scream, she hastened into the kitchen, and demanded the reason of this visit. When she understood their errand, she was furious. That they should dare to suspect her of harbouring a rebel! Her indignation found vent in no measured terms. Paying no heed to the old woman's reproaches, the soldiers proceeded to search the cottage. They invaded the sanctuary of the good dame's repose, and prodded her bed with their bayonets. When satisfied that no living thing lurked beneath the blankets, they went next to Margot's room. The heap which lay upon her bed was about to be subjected to a similar examination, when the old woman fiercely interposed, exclaiming that it was the general's linen, in time to save the heap from perforation and the secret from discovery.
"The old woman fiercely interposed."
Margot, meanwhile, stood by, silent, and almost senseless with fright, until she saw the soldiers, still pursued by her grandmother's tongue, leave the cottage. Then, with a deep sigh of relief, and a great heartthrob of thanksgiving, she turned again to her work.
V.
Margot had to resort to many and strange devices in order to keep from her grandmother the secret of her guest. The old lady marvelled greatly at her grand-daughter's sudden prodigious access of appetite, which Margot tried to persuade her was the effect of her increased exertions. The anxious girl employed herself in unceasing efforts on behalf of her protégé. Night after night she wore herself out in altering the appearance of every article of his attire. She cut his soldier's coat into the jacket of a civilian; stripped it of its military ornaments, and turned the skirts into a cap.
Meanwhile, daily skirmishes were taking place between the Royalist and Republican troops, and a great battle was expected. At length, La Crosse could endure confinement and inaction no longer. One dark night, amid heavy rain, he took leave of his protectress, who forced upon him her last-remaining coins, and cautiously made his way to the Republican army.
VI.
That night of La Crosse's departure was the eve of the battle. Margot was awakened the next morning by the cannon's roar. Where was her friend? was her first thought. Making a hasty toilet, she flung open the cottage door, and ran at her utmost speed to the nearest rising ground in the direction of the battle. There is no need to describe the terrible scene. Amid all those sickening sights and sounds fear for herself never once entered the brave girl's mind; all her anxiety was for him—her late guest.
For a time victory seemed to smile upon the Royalists. But suddenly their opponents made a general and overwhelming charge, which
