Edmond stole down, behind the barn he found Cavalier and his troop, who were amazed at seeing him so suddenly and rejoiced at the news he brought. He conducted them by a different way into the garden and posted them at the back of the entwined arbour, which, moreover, had no opening at the sides. He took half of the troops with him to guard the entrance. The robbers were already in the dark beach avenue; when they saw men advancing towards them they retreated, but Edmond pursued them; a fray ensued in the obscurity, and Cavalier and his party now also appeared and surrounded the assassins. Cavalier quickly caused a torch to be lighted and after a short, but murderous combat, when the bravest of the robbers had fallen, the rest were compelled to surrender, Cavalier caused them to be bound and carried away by his soldiers. Edmond accompanied by a few followers went in the stillness of night round the house. He found a ladder ready placed by which it was evident that some of the robbers intended to enter. He could not resist the inclination to visit again the house of his childhood. When he reached the top, he found the whole household asleep, all the lights were extinguished. He now opened the hall door, there sat his venerable father, sleeping in an arm-chair, a night lamp by his side, the holy scriptures open before him. How pale and suffering he looked; for in the night, fatigue had overpowered him in his meditations. Edmond approached softly, and with a beating heart. "He has given his angels charge over thee, that they may keep thee in all thy ways." This passage presented itself to his eyes from the open book. Inspired he looked up, wrote his name on a slip of paper and placed it upon this text of the bible. Then in his dream the old man sighed, "Edmond! my son!"--"Oh how unworthy am I of these tones, this affection, this attachment!" said Edmond to himself. He was impelled downwards, he kissed his fathers feet and then departed.--He shut the window, caused the ladder to be carried into the garden and then followed Cavalier's troop through the night back into the wood. CHAPTER II. They proceeded with the troop in silence. In order to elude the king's soldiers, who were in the neighbourhood, they were compelled to make a circuit. Catinat with his band conducted the prisoners that they might be delivered up to Roland, to pronounce sentence on them in the lonely mountains, and Cavalier and Edmond separated from their companions in order to reach the distant height by a footpath through the wood.