between impenetrable hedgerows, inclosing small fields, orchards,
and thickets, and gently undulating in low hills and shallow
valleys, interspersed with tall wasp-waisted windmills airily
waving their arms on the top of lofty masts. It was partitioned
into small farms, inhabited by a simple-hearted peasantry,
religious and diligent, with a fair amount of rural wealth and
comfort. Their love for their lords was loyally warm, and Eustacie
monopolized it, from their detestation of her uncle's exactions;
they would risk any of the savage punishments with which they were
threatened for concealing her; and as one by one it was needful to
take them into the secret, so as to disarm suspicion, and she was
passed from one farm to another, each proved his faithful
attachment, and though himself repaid by her thankful smile and
confiding manner.

The Chevalier and his son searched vigorously. On the slightest
suspicion, they came down to the farm, closed up the outlets,
threatened the owners, turned out the house, and the very place
they had last searched would become her quarters on the next night!
Messages always had warned her in time. Intelligence was obtained
by Martin, who contrived to remain a confidential agent, and
warnings were dispatched to her by many a strange messenger--by
little children, by old women, or even by the village innocent.

The most alarming days were those when she was not the avowed
object of the chase, but when the pursuit of game rendered the
coverts in the woods and fields unsafe, and the hounds might lead
to her discovery. On one of these occasions Martin locked her up
in the great hayloft of the convent, where she could actually hear
the chants in the chapel, and distinguish the chatter of the lay-