from the old abbey, the fishermen had taken up their abode
amidst a crowd of small tents raised by the soldiers of the
neighboring clans, who had with them their wives and
children. All this confusion, seen by the moon's light,
presented a striking coup d'oeil; the half shadow enlarged
every detail, and the light, that flatterer which only
attaches itself to the polished side of things, courted upon
each rusty musket the point still left intact, and upon
every rag of canvas the whitest and least sullied part.

Monk arrived then with Athos, crossing this spot, illumined
with a double light, the silver splendor of the moon, and
the red blaze of the fires at the meeting of the three
causeways; there he stopped, and addressing his companion,
-- "Monsieur," said he, "do you know your road?"

"General, if I am not mistaken, the middle causeway leads
straight to the abbey."

"That is right; but we shall want lights to guide us in the
vaults." Monk turned round.

"Ah! I thought Digby was following us!" said he. "So much
the better; he will procure us what we want."

"Yes, general, there is a man yonder who has been walking
behind us for some time."

"Digby!" cried Monk. "Digby! come here, if you please."