over them. Paolo thoughtfully brought up a pail of water as well
as of wine. The ladies drank a little wine and water, while Hector
took a long draught, and made the two retainers who had fought so
stoutly, and his own men, do the same. In half an hour the staircase
was cleared and washed down, and the party then descended. The
baroness had told Hector that for the present at any rate she would
go to Nancy, and would report to the new lord's agents there what
had happened, and doubtless he would send a man to take charge of
the place.

"These cups," she said, "were all the personal property of my
husband, and I am therefore free to take them. Many of them have
been in his family for a very long time. Their sale will enable me
to live until I can form some plans for the future."

The several silver vessels were collected and wrapped up ready for
transport in some of the hangings that the rioters had torn down.
An outhouse adjoining the keep was cleared out and thickly spread
with rushes for the accommodation of the baroness and her daughter.
The troops had already had a very long march, and it was out
of the question that they could return to Nancy that night. Fires
were lighted in front of the house, and the soldiers prepared to
bivouac there. Three of the troopers were sent off with orders to
the captains of the other three companies to concentrate the next
morning at a village on the line that would be taken on their return
march. Some men were sent down to the little town of Blenfoix to
purchase bread and meat, together with torches and other necessaries.
At nightfall Hector posted sentinels, as he considered it quite
possible that the peasants would raise the country for some distance
round and try to take vengeance for the loss they had suffered.