midnight
Occupation and adventure now crowded upon Durward with the force of a spring tide . Louis , anxious to be on good terms with Burgundy , induced the ladies of Croye to retreat from their concealment at the Court of France , and to place themselves under the protection of the Prince Bishop of Liége . Durward was delighted when the king told him that he was selected , with four others under his command , to escort the Countess Isabelle and her companion to the little court of their relative the bishop , in the safest and most secret manner possible . They set out at midnight , and Lady Hameline soon interrogated the captain of her escort , and learnt that he was of noble birth . `` Methinks , my cousin , '' said the Lady Isabelle softly , `` we must be safe under this young gentleman 's safeguard . '' The journey was accomplished , not without perils and hazards , and then four days after the arrival at the bishop 's palace , the townsmen of Liége rose in mad revolt , and , led by a ferocious noble , William de la Marck , whom all men called the Wild Boar of Ardennes , overpowered the bishop 's guards , and seized the palace . The bishop himself was murdered by De la Marck 's orders , in his very dining hall ; the Countess Isabelle escaped under Durward 's protection , while the Countess Hameline remained to become the wife of the Wild Boar .