"Oh, Monsieur Rochestair," she said as Harry entered, "have they sent help to us yet?" "No, Madame, I fear there has scarcely been time." "What shall we do? what shall we do? I fear we shall all be ruined." "Pray calm yourself, Madame," said Harry quietly. "Doctor, is it possible to remove the general to another room?" "I do not advise it. He is comfortable; I hope he will sleep." "Meester, let us take him to the dining-room," said Adèle in Dutch. "It would be a pity, and——" "Do you wish it, Monsieur?" she interrupted, turning to Harry. "Yes, Mademoiselle." "Then he shall be removed. Meester, be so good as to have the general removed at once. The men can lift sofa and all." Adèle herself called four men in from the front of the house, and the general was quickly carried across the hall into the dining-room. Harry was left with the two ladies. "Madame," he said, "will you remain here with Mademoiselle? Be seated; take up your needle-work; try to look as though there were nothing to fear." "How can I? how can I? when every moment I fear to see my house in flames." "Mamma," said Adèle, "it is necessary. Monsieur is planning to save us; we must help him. Come, I will fetch your spinning-wheel. Monsieur, we will do our best, I give my promise." "Thank you, Mademoiselle! When the French arrive, an officer will enter; I will bring him in here; show no concern; leave the rest to me." He went out, sent into the woods all the men who were still about the house save two of the dragoons, whom he placed in a cloak-room off the hall. Then he ran up again to the roof. Looking eagerly down the road, he caught sight of four horsemen approaching at a trot. They were about a mile away. Beyond them the road was concealed from view by a clump of trees. He saw at a glance that Jacques had fulfilled his instructions to the letter. Where half an hour before had been a bare field there was now what appeared to be a broad lake, with a solitary punt floating at about the middle of its surface. Scanning the boundaries of the estate he failed to descry a single human figure. He drew a long breath; all his preparations were complete; what would be the outcome? The four riders were drawing nearer, and behind them he now saw the helmets and lances of the main body. They were as yet too far away for him to estimate their number. Taking care to keep out of sight himself, he watched the patrol of four, and saw two of them dismount at the old barn and enter. "They have left Monsieur de Polignac for the present," he said to himself. "I wonder why." After a few minutes the two horsemen emerged from the building, remounted, and rode on with their companions. Then Harry slipped down the stairs, instructed old Jean, who was trembling in the hall, to conduct to the reception-room any soldier who came to the door, and then walked quietly in and rejoined the ladies. "They are coming?" said Adèle. "Yes. They will be here in a minute."