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Rh "Gerard, Gerard!" cried Gabrielle in dire alarm.

"Come, Gabrielle, you must not interfere in this," and de Proballe seized her hand and drew her aside.

Gerard sprang forward to interfere, but the soldiers interposed and prevented him.

"Cut him down if he resists," was the Governor's command, implacably given.

For some moments the fierce unequal combat raged, and two of the soldiers being wounded, the others fell back for a moment.

"My lord, stop this fighting," cried Gabrielle, struggling to free herself from de Proballe's grasp.

At her voice Gerard turned and made as if to go to her, but the soldiers, seeing that his eyes were turned from them, chose the moment to rush in again and one of them sprang upon him from behind. Thus hampered he was soon overpowered by the number who attacked him, his sword was wrenched from his grasp, and he was led away a prisoner.