I knew but little about her, for she died when I was a child; and my father, who loved her greatly, seldom speaks to me of her." Philip rode for some time in silence.
"I feel that I am a terrible burden on your hands, monsieur," she said quietly, at last; "but I will do anything that you think best.
If you set us down, we will try and find refuge in some peasant's hut; or we can dress ourselves as countrywomen, and try to make our way westward to La Rochelle." "That is not to be thought of," he replied gravely.

"Were it not that my despatches may not be delayed, without great danger to our cause, the matter would be of no inconvenience; but we must ride fast and far.

As to leaving you to shift for yourselves, it is impossible; but if we could find a Huguenot family with whom I could place you, it would be different.

But unfortunately, we are all strangers to the country." "I can ride well," the girl said, "and if horses could be procured would, with my maid, try to reach La Rochelle; travelling by night, and hiding in the woods by day.

We could carry food with us, so as not to have to enter any place to purchase it." Philip shook his head.
"We will halt at yonder clump of trees," he said.