“I need hardly ask, madam,” Hector said as they entered the chateau, “whether you have been comfortable here, for your face shows that you have at least been contented with your lot as chatelaine.”

“I have been more than contented, I have been very happy, Monsieur Campbell.  It has been a pleasant task indeed to be your almoner, and to be able to carry comfort to those in distress, sympathy and aid to those in suffering.  Within the castle, nothing could be more pleasant than our position.  Captain MacIntosh has been unwearied in his efforts to make us comfortable, and your steward has in all cases been willing to aid me with money and counsel when I asked for them.  The proof that your goodness has been appreciated by the tenants is that every one of them without exception has refused to join the insurgents, and has forsaken his home in order to come up and aid in the defence of the castle.”

“That is indeed gratifying, madam; but methinks their action is due rather to the kindness of yourself and Mademoiselle Norah, than to the gifts they receive.”

“I do not choose to be called Mademoiselle Norah,” the girl said, tossing her head.  “I am Irish on both sides, and have not a drop of French blood in my veins.  To strangers I am Miss Norah O’More; to you, and to any I may love, I am plain Norah.”

“I don’t think that you can be that to anyone, Norah.”

“Now I don’t like that, Colonel Campbell.  That may do at the court of Louis XIV, but not at the chateau of la Villar, and if you are going to pay compliments I shall be stiff and unpleasant, and shall insist upon being addressed as Miss Norah O’More.”

“As I did not mean to compliment you, for I spoke but the truth, I shall not accept the penalty.  Now,” he went on, “unromantic as it may sound, I own that I am hungry, and I am sure that my four followers are also, for we have ridden far and fast, and have not stopped, save to bait our horses and snatch a mouthful while they ate, since daybreak.  In truth the news we received made me sorely anxious, though I felt sure that MacIntosh could hold the chateau against any attack that was likely to be made on it.”

CHAPTER XIX:  THE PEASANTS’ REVOLT

After eating a meal Hector had a talk aside with MacIntosh.

“Do you really think that these varlets will venture to attack us?”

“I do indeed,” the old sergeant said.  “They have taken several places as strong as this by sudden assault.  They are desperate, and, as I hear, fight like demons, regardless as to how many fall.  As far as stout arms go we are well supplied, for there are at least a hundred men capable of bearing arms, and all have had more or less drill since I have been here.  Unfortunately, however, our wall pieces are old and scarce fit for service, several of them will, I feel sure, burst at the first discharge.”