those round until it swelled into a loud roar, vehement, menacing and perilous.
"Save me, save me," said the Governor, cowering now between the statue and Gerard, who, undaunted by the angry faces and clenched and threatening hands, faced the mob, and again sent his voice ringing like a clarion among them.
"Peace! Are ye men that would do this violence? Miladi of Malincourt is safe."
Once more his commanding presence and fearless calm stilled them for a pause; and before the storm could break out again a strange change came.
Gabrielle had seen Gerard's peril, and believing that he would be the next victim of the mob, had made herself known to the people around her, who broke out into shouts of joy, and amid a storm of cries and cheers she passed through the ranks, mounted the steps of the statue and took her stand by Gerard's side.
A thunder of cheers greeted her appearance, and the air was rent with cries of "Long live Malincourt!"
But the danger was not over yet, for when the Governor, gathering some courage from the changed temper of the mob, showed himself for a moment at Gabrielle's side, the cheers changed with ominous suddenness to shouts and execrations and groans in the same deafening clamour.
"For God's sake, save me from them," he said, shrinking again behind Gerard. "They will tear me to pieces."
"May we promise them an end to their sufferings?" asked Gabrielle.
"Yes, yes, anything. I will do anything. My God, anything!"
"Down with the Tyrant. Give him to us. Death to the Tiger of Morvaix!" came the cries, with even fiercer vehemence.
