supernatural terror was passing off into a consideration of
resources, when, behold, he was beginning to sing. To sing was the
very way the ghosts began ere they came to their devilish outcries.
'Our Lady keep it from bringing frenzy. But hark! hark!' It was
not one of the chants, it was a tune and words heard in older times
of her life; it was the evening hymn, that the little husband and
wife had been wont to sing to the Baron in the Chateau de Leurre--
Marot's version of the 4th Psalm.

'_Plus de joie m'est donnee_
_Par ce moyen, O Dieu Tres-Haut_,
_Que n'ont ceux qui ont grand annee_
_De froment et bonne vinee_,
_D'huile et tout ce qu'il leur faut_.'

If it had indeed been the ghostly chant, perhaps Eustacie would not
have been able to help joining it. As it was, the familiar home
words irresistibly impelled her to mingle her voice, scarce knowing
what she did, in the verse--

'_Si qu'en paix et surete bonne_
_Coucherai et reposerai_ ;
_Car, Seigneur, ta bonte tout ordonne_
_Et elle seule espoir me donne_
_Que sur et seul regnant serai_.'

The hymn died away in its low cadence, and then, ere Eustacie had
had time to think of the consequences of thus raising her voice,
the new-comer demanded: