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Show J . "-4-. firm-'2»:s==;_ PRINCESS MARY'S GIFT BOOK 'ckened again. Then with a sickening,)‘ apprehension heart. she turned and 1 down the stal s and went to open the bl; door of the Chateau. Jules, the lat and sleepy porter, was undoing the bolts as she got down. " Boniour, Mademoiselle. Some one is at the gate, an early ' He chuckled as he undid the. last bolt, and threw wide the door. \Vhen he Would have hohhled across the emu'tyard to open the gate his mistress was bel'ore him. \\'hen sie undid the bolts the Cure, bareheaded. stood before her. " Ah. Mademoiselle. it is bad news," he said in a firm voice, thong his face was tense with apprehension. " They come, the barbarians. I have information, now it behoves us to consult what we will l0." Mademoiselle whitened to the lips, and drew him in and shut the door. She signed to Jules to depart, but the Cure intervened. " Let him stay. It will save a twice-told tale. I have certain news that they are not morethan a couple of hours march away, and for sure they will come this w to Brussels. \Vhat shall we do .1" " I will rema at my p ‘t, weied Julie Ledru firmly. " I have no fear for mvse ', but my ehai s Fatheriflosalie and Biddv, with whom their E1 rlish parents have trusted me. "win!!! ' manila} ‘ " mum My fails! What must we do with them "é " " It will not be safe to leave them here, l\Iadem<:)iselle, nor even for you to stay. We will take you to the Crypt of the church, where. with a little food and drink, you will be safe until they have p ed through. "'63 have no treasure h e in Coutane, and are simple tolk. Perhaps we shall be beneath their not' ' . u Julie Ledru clasped her hands in an ecstasy of apprehensi . They had been without newspapers for four (I . , but chance travellers from the East had brought strange and appallingr tales o. the invaders' desolating march. They told of ruined villages and In ning homes, and helpless people mei ilessly shot down in iplaees as simple and as unimportant as Coutane. Julie Ledru looked round her little domain with a kind of sad pride. It did not contain many treasure , it is true, but it was her home, enshrined by many sweet memories. It contained her all. " Now, Father '4 she asked feverishly. " Do you think we should come now It " "\Vithout a moment's delay," he answered. " ‘ and get your charges roused and bring,r all with you; a little food a in a basket, lest you have to stop there several days." |