islanders, who had been tried somewhat severely by the severity of the regime which Austin had endeavoured to impose since he had seen danger in his damaging encounter with Judith.  After a time it was proclaimed that none would be permitted to join in the revelries who were enemies to the Gods who presided at them.  This stroke was successful:  the majority openly embraced the creed of their conquerors, and showed the usual spirit of perverts in exceeding the latter in their zeal to sweep away all traces of the religion which they had abandoned.  The minority who held true to their faith drew together, a grim and resolute band, prepared for a bold defence and, if Christ so willed it, for martyrdom.

It was not Judith’s purpose, now that the disruption of the islanders was effected, to leave time for the Christians to mature plans for resistance.  Garthmund, at her instigation, delivered simultaneous attacks on Lihou and the Vale; he himself superintending the latter operation in order that he might see that the sorceress’s instructions, that all in the nunnery were to be made prisoners uninjured, and brought to her closely veiled, were implicitly obeyed.  To the surprise of the islanders, however, both assaults, though made with spirit and absolute confidence of success, were completely repulsed; the same result attended a renewed attack, made two days subsequently with fresh and increased forces supported by native levies.  Garthmund found that in both places he had before him not only resolute troops, but skilled and enterprising commanders.

CHAPTER VI.

Consolation.

“Mother! list a suppliant child! 
Ave Maria! 
Ave Maria!  Stainless styled. 
Foul demons of the earth and air,
From this their wonted haunt exiled,
Shall flee before thy presence fair.”

Lady of the Lake.—­Walter Scott.

Jean’s recovery after Hilda’s departure had been slow and lingering; but for the unwearied care of the good fathers and of the recluse, aided by a constitution of no ordinary strength, he must have succumbed to the terrible injuries which he had received.  As, however, the days began to lengthen, and signs of spring to appear even on the wild rock where he had taken refuge, his vigour gradually returned.  It had been necessary that he should be protected from excitement; consequently, while receiving from the hermit regular reports from the Vale, and many a sweet message from his love which made his heart leap with happiness, he knew nothing till the beginning of February of the incursion of the Voizins, and the accompanying events.  Since he had been alone, however, he had dwelt for hours together on the strange story which he had overheard in the tower, the principal figure of which, while his brain had been still confused, had been always mingled in his delirium with the massive form of the hermit.  Father Austin, watching him