The cry began near at hand, and was caught up by those round until it swelled into a loud roar, vehement, menacing and perilous. “Save me, save me,” said the Governor, cowering now between the statue and Gerard, who, undaunted by the angry faces and clenched and threatening hands, faced the mob, and again sent his voice ringing like a clarion among them. “Peace! Are ye men that would do this violence? Miladi of Malincourt is safe.” Once more his commanding presence and fearless calm stilled them for a pause; and before the storm could break out again a strange change came. Gabrielle had seen Gerard’s peril, and believing that he would be the next victim of the mob, had made herself known to the people around her, who broke out into shouts of joy, and amid a storm of cries and cheers she passed through the ranks, mounted the steps of the statue and took her stand by Gerard’s side. A thunder of cheers greeted her appearance, and the air was rent with cries of “Long live Malincourt!” But the danger was not over yet, for when the Governor, gathering some courage from the changed temper of the mob, showed himself for a moment at Gabrielle’s side, the cheers changed with ominous suddenness to shouts and execrations and groans in the same deafening clamour. “For God’s sake, save me from them,” he said, shrinking again behind Gerard. “They will tear me to pieces.” “May we promise them an end to their sufferings?” asked Gabrielle. “Yes, yes, anything. I will do anything. My God, anything!” “Down with the Tyrant. Give him to us. Death to the Tiger of Morvaix!” came the cries, with even fiercer vehemence. Again Gerard stood with uplifted hand. “Peace!” he called. “Miladi of Malincourt will speak to you.” At this the cheers came again as Gabrielle, with heightened colour, waited for silence. “I beg you listen to me. I bring you peace, and in the name of the Governor I promise you an end to your wrongs and sufferings.” The cheers rang out again, and as they died down some voices called: “We are starving. What of the tax on our food?” “It shall be repealed,” said the Governor. “The Governor pledges his word it shall be repealed,” cried Gabrielle. A deafening storm of wild joyous shouts burst out with mighty cries of “God bless Malincourt! Long live Miladi of Malincourt!” “Will he keep his promise?” cried a stentorian voice. “I pledge my honour.” Gerard repeated this in his ringing tone. “The Governor pledges his honour as a noble of France to repeal the tax--a pledge no man dare break.” “You have saved my life, mademoiselle, you and this monk,” said the Governor, not recognizing Gerard, who had kept his face carefully averted, and now drew his cowl closer. “We have saved the people,” answered Gabrielle, whose eyes were shining with the excitement of the scene.