fore.'

'Ah! but you are not God, Lanty,' said Estelle gravely; 'you cannot
keep things from happening.'

'The Powers forbid that I should spake such blasphemy!' said Lanty,
taking off his hat. ''Twas not that I meant, but only that poor Lanty
would die ten thousand deaths--worse than them as was thrown to the
beasts--before one of them should harm the tip of that little finger of
yours!'

Perhaps the same vow was in Arthur's heart, though not spoken in such
strong terms.

Thus they drifted on till the old city of Avignon rose on the eyes of
the travellers, a dark pile of buildings where the massive houses,
built round courts, with few external windows, recalled that these had
once been the palaces of cardinals accustomed to the Italian city
feuds, which made every house become a fortress.

On the wharf stood a gentleman in a resplendent uniform of blue and
gold, whom the children hailed with cries of joy and outstretched arms,
as their uncle. The Marquis de Varennes was soon on board, embracing
his sister and her children, and conducting them to one of the great
palaces, where he had rooms, being then in garrison. Arthur followed,
at a sign from the lady, who presented him to her brother as 'Monsieur
Arture'--a young Scottish gentleman who will do my husband the favour
of acting as his secretary.

She used the word gentilhomme, which conveyed the sense of nobility of