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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Jacques Bonneval, by Anne Manning
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Jacques Bonneval
+
+Author: Anne Manning
+
+Release Date: October 30, 2004  [eBook #13896]
+[Last updated: February 18, 2021]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACQUES BONNEVAL***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Garcia and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+JACQUES BONNEVAL
+
+Or, The Days of the Dragonnades
+
+by
+
+THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER I.
+  THE FAIR OF BEAUCAIRE
+
+  CHAPTER II.
+  THE FEAST OF ST. MAGDALEN
+
+  CHAPTER III.
+  LES ARÈNES
+
+  CHAPTER IV.
+  MY UNCLE CHAMBRUN
+
+  CHAPTER V.
+  THE PASSPORT
+
+  CHAPTER VI.
+  TRIAL BY FIRE
+
+  CHAPTER VII.
+  LA CROISSETTE
+
+  CHAPTER VIII.
+  PERSECUTED, YET NOT FORSAKEN
+
+  CHAPTER IX.
+  CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED
+
+  CHAPTER X.
+  "MY NATIVE LAND, GOOD-NIGHT"
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE FAIR OF BEAUCAIRE.
+
+
+There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of
+Beaucaire. Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder
+I heard plenty about it. It is true, that in my time, the world-famous
+fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in
+general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and
+not only France, but of all civilized countries. With what enjoyment
+would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy
+merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious
+outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them
+to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off
+prisoners and extort heavy ransom. My grandfather would tell hew long
+files of mules, laden with rich silks, cloths, serges, camlets, and
+furs, from Montpelier, from Narbonne, from Toulouse, from Carcassonne,
+and other places, would wend towards Beaucaire, as the day called the
+Feast of St. Magdalene approached, on which the fair was opened. The
+roads were then thronged with travelers; the city was choke-full of
+strangers; not a bed to be had, unless long preëngaged, for love or
+money. The shops exhibited the utmost profusion of rich goods;
+hospitality was exercised without grudging; old friends met from year to
+year; matches between their children were frequently concerted; bargains
+were struck, and commercial bills were commonly made payable at the Fair
+of Beaucaire. The crowd was immense while it lasted; a hundred thousand
+strangers being generally present.
+
+Thus, you can easily conceive what charms such a lively scene had for
+the young; while to the old it was the crown of their industry during
+the year. Those at a distance, finding communications difficult and
+journeys expensive, were glad to make an annual pilgrimage serve their
+turn, when they were certain of meeting their fellow-traders, and of
+having under their notice goods from all parts of the world.
+
+It was with great glee, therefore, that I, a youth of nineteen, started
+with my family for the Fair of Beaucaire on the 21st of July, 1685.
+Accommodation was promised us by my uncle Nicolas, and we went the day
+before the festival in order to see it from the beginning. I drove a
+large and commodious char-a-banc, in which were my father and mother, my
+younger brothers and sisters, Monsieur Bourdinave, my father's partner,
+his two fair daughters, Madeleine and Gabrielle, and their old servant
+Alice, who was also their kinswoman in a distant degree.
+
+I was held to be a smart youth in those days, by my family and friends,
+and certainly I had made myself as fine as I could, in the hope of
+pleasing Madeleine, who, to my mind, was the most charming girl in the
+world. Nor was she behindhand in the way of ornament, for she and her
+sister were dressed in their best, and looked as fresh as daisies. In
+fact, we were, one and all, in holiday attire; even the horse being
+tricked out with ribbons, tassels, fringes, and flowers, till he was
+quite a sight.
+
+My father opened the day with family worship, which always seemed to put
+us in tune for the morning, and spread a balmy influence over us. I well
+remember the portion of Scripture he read was the seventeenth chapter of
+St. John's Gospel, which, I need not remind you, contains this verse--"I
+pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou
+shouldest keep them from the evil." My father dwelt on this in his
+prayer, and said, "Lord, I know that these dear young people cannot pass
+through life without hearing and seeing much of evil: but, oh, keep them
+unspotted by it! Let an atmosphere of sanctity and safety surround them
+even in the midst of the fires, that they receive no hurt. In their
+allowed pleasures and pastimes, let them wear that spiritual hauberk
+which is invulnerable to the darts of the wicked; let them steadfastly
+set their faces against whatever thy word disallows; and, should fiery
+trial and temptation beset them, enable them, having done all, to stand."
+
+I am confident that these were as nearly as possible the very words of
+my father; for they made an impression on me that I could hardly account
+for: and as he had recently been explaining to the children the nature
+of a hauberk, as a coat of defensive armor, and remarking on its pliancy
+and being often worn out of sight, the metaphor fixed itself in my
+memory.
+
+We had a substantial breakfast of soup and bread before we started; and
+then drove in state to M. Bourdinave's door, where I sprang out to help
+the smiling girls into the char-a-banc. I would gladly have had
+Madeleine next me, but, as ill-luck would have it, M. Bourdinave placed
+himself at my side, and my father just behind; so that I was completely
+shut out from her, to my great chagrin. However, if I could not see her,
+unless by looking round, I knew she could see me; so I carried myself my
+best, and flourished my whip in fine style.
+
+And thus we went to the Fair of Beaucaire. As we passed Les Arènes, that
+famous Roman amphitheatre in the centre of our city, I heard my father
+and his old friend allude to its former uses, without paying much heed
+to them. I believe they reminded one another that not only wild beasts
+but Christians had formerly been put to death there, for the recreation
+of those who were wild beasts themselves; and my father said how he
+hated the Sunday bull-fights that took place there still, and never
+would let me go near them; on which I put in soberly, "I never want to,
+father."
+
+"Thou art a steady lad, I'll warrant thee," said M. Bourdinave,
+approvingly. "Hold fast the form of sound words which hath been given
+thee in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," said I, whipping old Réné smartly. And in another minute
+we were thumping and bumping over great paving-stones, too noisily for
+conversation to be carried on, and getting into a mêlée of carts,
+wagons, and horsemen, all bound for Beaucaire. The women were now in
+great delight, looking from side to side, commenting on the dress of
+one, the equipage of another, nodding to acquaintance, and crying "O,
+look!" to each other, when they saw anything beyond common. I had enough
+to do, I assure you, to steer a straight course; and M. Bourdinave
+observing it, remarked that he hoped I should be equally vigilant in
+steering a straight course through life, which made me cry "Ay, ay,
+sir," and set me thinking.
+
+When the road became a little quieter, I heard him and my father
+discussing the price of cocoons, the superiority of good cocoons to
+cocalons, dupions, and soufflons; which last, I need not tell you, are
+very imperfect cocoons; dupions have two threads, and confuse one with
+another; and pointed cocoons are apt to break in the winding. But all
+these, as you know, are turned to account by the silk-spinner, and
+worked up into stockings, sewing-silk, and handkerchiefs. But the good
+cocoons that yield a strong, thick, compact filament, are appropriated
+by the silk-throwsters.
+
+But this trade-talk was interrupted by cries of amused delight from
+the women, and on looking about to see what tickled their fancies, they
+pointed out to us a most extraordinary figure, standing bolt upright
+in a cart. He was tall and meagre, and wore a long black robe and tall
+pointed cap, both of which appeared spangled with silver; instead of
+which, they were studded with steel buttons, needles, and pins, of which
+he was an itinerant vendor. I believe the women would have purchased
+largely of him, had my father let me stop.
+
+Next we came up with a little house upon wheels, drawn by a sorry horse,
+and on the wooden wall of the said house was depicted, many sizes larger
+than life, a great human tooth, with bleeding fangs. Beneath was an
+inscription that the owner of the cart was a traveling dentist, who drew
+teeth without the least pain.
+
+Alice, the maid, had instantly a great desire to let him draw a
+troublesome tooth of hers which, she took pains to assure us, was not
+impaired by natural decay, but only accidentally broken in cracking
+a cherry-stone. "The edge is so rough," said she, "that it hurts my
+tongue; and since this honest gentleman can extract it painlessly,
+I have a great mind to try his hand."
+
+"Plenty of time for that when we get to Beaucaire," said M. Bourdinave.
+"Sure, you would not have a tooth drawn in the middle of the high road?"
+
+"Truly, I should not mind it, inside that nice little wooden house,"
+said she.
+
+But no, she was not allowed to do so; and, to console her, Madeleine
+uncovered a little basket she carried on her arm, and discovered
+cherries as red as her own lips, nestling in dark green leaves. "Here,"
+said she, cheerfully, "are some stones to take your revenge on."
+
+"Ah, what beauties," cried Alice, taking a few; and the basket being
+handed round, we were soon all eating cherries; and Gabrielle asked me
+if I did not wish she had the gift of St. Marguerite.
+
+"I do not know what gift you mean," said I, turning half round, and
+looking full at her.
+
+"Once on a time," said the lively girl, "the foolish story goes, that
+two saints, who were brother and sister, lived in separate monasteries;
+but the brother was frequently visited by his sister, on the pretence
+of seeking spiritual advice. Their names were St. Honorat and St.
+Marguerite. At length the brother grew rather tired of his sister's
+visits, and called them a waste of time. 'Henceforth, let it suffice
+that I shall visit you occasionally, said he. 'When?' said St.
+Marguerite. 'When the cherry-trees blossom,' said St Honorat. Thereupon,
+St. Marguerite prayed that the cherry-trees might blossom once a month,
+which they did; so her brother acknowledged himself outwitted."
+
+"Fie for shame, daughter," said M. Bourdinave, with displeasure. "I am
+grieved that you should remember and repeat such lying legends."
+
+"Dear father, they exercise the fancy--"
+
+"Exercise the fancy, indeed! Let fancy confine herself to her own
+province. She is a good servant, but a bad mistress. The Jews exercised
+their fancies in the wild Talmudical fables. What said our Saviour of
+them? 'Ye make the word of God of none effect through your traditions.
+Let me hear no more papistical fables."
+
+Gabrielle hung her head, and stealing a glance that way, I saw Madeleine
+pass her arm round her sister's waist, and look sweetly at her, which
+made me think Madeleine more attractive than ever. M. Bourdinave did not
+immediately recover his equanimity, but addressing my father, said it
+more than ever behooved good Reformers to walk warily, and not give in
+to any of the ensnaring practices of the surrounding Catholics. "Little
+by little they are stealing in on us already," said he, "and, if our
+sagacious men are to be believed, a time of trouble is preparing for us
+that may perhaps not fall very short of the massacre on the day of St.
+Bartholomew."
+
+"Still," said my father, "we are under the protection of the Edict of
+Nantes."
+
+"Edicts may be set aside," said M. Bourdinave, in a lowered voice, which
+yet I heard, being next him. "Only think how we have been annoyed and
+injured the last two or three years, by edicts differing greatly from
+the Edict of Nantes. That one, for instance, which rendered us liable to
+the intrusion of Catholics into our temples, to spy at our observances,
+pick up scraps of our sermons, and report them incorrectly. What
+advantage the rabble have taken of it!"
+
+"Too true," said my father, gravely.
+
+"Last year," pursued M. Bourdinave, "that attempted confederacy for
+mutual protection, when all our closed meetinghouses were reopened for
+worship, showed what temper our adversaries were of."
+
+"It was an ill-considered measure," said my father, slowly.
+
+"Ill-conducted, rather," said M. Bourdinave. "The act should have been
+simultaneous; whereas the want of concert among our people betrayed
+their weakness, and laid them open to attack. The military at Bordeaux
+acted with shocking barbarity."
+
+"I do not like to think upon it," said my father. "I trust there will be
+no recurrence of such lamentable scenes."
+
+"I much fear there will be, though," said M. Bourdinave, gloomily.
+"Satan desires to have us, that he may sift us like wheat. Let us hope
+to abide the trial."
+
+At this moment a burst of noisy music, drowned their voices; and the
+needle-seller's horse, which was just before us, making a sudden start,
+the poor needle-vendor was thrown off his balance, and jerked out of his
+cart on to a heap of flints by the road-side, while his horse began to
+kick. Giving the reins to my father, I jumped out, and ran to his
+assistance; but he was so prickly all over, that it was difficult to lay
+hold of him. His needles and pins ran into my fingers in a dozen places.
+To make matters worse, his nose began to bleed, so that he was in a
+pitiable plight. However, I picked him up at last, found he was not
+seriously injured, gave him a clean handkerchief (which he promised to
+return), and started him off again in his cart, in a sitting position
+this time, and much crestfallen.
+
+The throng increased as we approached Beaucaire, and when we got into
+the streets there was frequently a complete stoppage. Oh, what a lively
+scene it was! and what a noise! Music playing, bells ringing, people
+talking at the top of their voices. What joyous meetings! what hearty
+welcomes! what various smells of fried fish, hot soups, and roast meats!
+Truly, the Fair of Beaucaire exceeded my liveliest imaginings, and yours
+will certainly never come up to it.
+
+The fair, you have perhaps heard, is held on a wide open ground between
+the Rhone and the castle rock. This space was covered with streets of
+booths and sheds, in which all kinds of merchandise were displayed.
+The river was choked with heavily-freighted barges. As for the streets,
+they were hung from their upper windows with the richest tapestries;
+silks, damasks, velvets, and goldsmiths' work were displayed in the
+richest abundance; the most costly valuables exposed, almost at the
+mercy of jostling wayfarers; banners flaunting overhead, and casting
+fleeting shadows beneath. Languages of all nations mingled in strange
+medley--German, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Arabic, Russian. Ah, it was
+like a dream!
+
+My uncle Nicolas received us most heartily; and, while my father and
+M. Bourdinave went about their affairs, I had the pleasing charge of the
+women, and showing them what was to be seen. My mother, with a child
+in each hand, Madeleine and I, each with another child, Gabrielle and
+old Alice close behind us, formed such a phalanx that we made way for
+ourselves, or had it made for us, wherever we went, and saw everything
+we wanted to see. We even saw the dentist, and Alice would not be foiled
+this time, but almost thrust herself on his notice. He made her sit on
+the ground, put her head between his knees and dragged out the tooth by
+main force. She screamed horribly, and said, "You engaged to give no
+pain!" "To myself," said he, "but I could not engage for you." So there
+was the laugh against her. However, the tooth was out, and he generously
+gave it to her; so we walked away laughing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE FEAST OF ST. MAGDALEN.
+
+
+We looked about us till dinner, and after dinner we looked about us
+again; for the women and children seemed as though they would never be
+sated with sightseeing; and as for me, I was never sated of going about
+with Madeleine. All at once she cried out in a frightened voice, "Where
+is Gabrielle?"
+
+We looked about and could see neither her nor Alice; and as it was
+nearly the hour they call vesper, though the days were still pretty
+long, we were greatly alarmed at their disappearance. Little Louison,
+however, plucked my sleeve, and said, "I think they went in there,"
+pointing to a church-door; so, although my father specially objected to
+my setting foot within a Catholic place of worship, Madeleine and I went
+in to look for her sister; but my mother kept the children outside. As
+soon as we entered we found ourselves almost in darkness, what little
+light there was proceeding from great wax candles; and there was a good
+deal of tawdry finery and trumpery all about, and a strong smell of
+incense. I was looking about me with curiosity and interest, mixed with
+a certain repulsion, when Madeleine, in an eager undertone, exclaimed,
+"There she is!" and pressed forward, I close following, to a little
+side-altar, where Gabrielle and Alice were listening, with amused
+wonder, to a priest, who was telling a group of people about him that
+what he was exhibiting to them was one of Mary Magdalen's bones; and
+that she and Lazarus, and Martha his sister, had put to sea in an old
+boat, and in process of time, after being sorely buffeted by winds and
+waves, had been cast ashore at Marseilles, where they preached the
+gospel to the natives, and converted them all.
+
+I did not believe one word of this, nor did Madeleine, who drew her
+reluctant sister away; and when we got her into the open air, rebuked
+her for doing what their father would not approve. Gabrielle looked
+inclined to defend herself, and make a joke of it. However, a great bell
+began to clang so near us as to drown her voice; people were pushing
+past us into church, and we found ourselves going against the stream,
+and made the best of our way out of it, and back to our quarters.
+My father and M. Bourdinave were standing at the door, conversing with
+my uncle, and when they saw us they smiled, and my father said, with
+unwonted softness in his tone, "Well, children, are you come back? Have
+you enjoyed yourselves?" and looked earnestly at Madeleine, whose eyes
+sank under his.
+
+My uncle Nicolas kept a mercer's shop, and his shelves and counters were
+now so laden with goods that it was difficult to steer our way through
+them to the steep stair which led to the floor above; and that, too, was
+converted, for the time, into a kind of warehouse; but above that was
+the living-room, and above that, again, numerous bedrooms with sloping
+sides, and small windows piercing the steep roof. My aunt Jeanne was
+good and hospitable to excess. She would not let M. Bourdinave and his
+family return to their lodging till they had supped with her, though
+there were other guests; so we were jammed rather closely around the
+table with little elbow-room. Then ensued clinking of glasses, clatter
+of plates, dishes, knives, forks, the buzzing of many tongues, savory
+smells of hot viands, and much helping and pressing of one another; much
+talk of the price of silks, velvets, and serges; of the credit of such
+and such a house; of the state of trade; of the court; and of the
+country. I, wedged between Madeleine and her sister, had the opportunity
+of giving her many tender looks, though few words passed between us.
+Among the strangers at table was a strangely unpleasant Englishman, who
+prefaced every speech with "I want to know--" and would not be satisfied
+with a short answer. At length my father mildly said--
+
+"Sir, you seek to know trade secrets. You know there are secrets in all
+trades."
+
+"That is precisely why I want to know them," said he, laughing.
+
+"But a good reason why we should not tell them," said my father; who
+then turned from him, and addressed some one else. Gabrielle whispered,
+"I shall call that man Monsieur I-want-to-know."
+
+"Ah, well, I know already what I chiefly want," pursued the Englishman,
+who, had he not been drinking more freely than was good for him, would
+probably have been less communicative. "I've been to Italy, and have
+seen the Italian machinery for throwing silk, and shall carry back a
+pretty good idea of the process."
+
+"That man shall never carry anything back," whispered a
+vindictive-looking Italian, whose eyes glittered like fire.
+
+"Hush! he is only an empty boaster."
+
+"We want no empty boasters. We will not let him steal our trade
+secrets."
+
+That night, going home to his lodging, the Englishman was set upon by
+the Italian, and pricked with his stiletto, narrowly escaping with his
+life. He gave him what he called "a good English black-eye," and bawled
+loudly for justice. The Italian ran off, and was no more seen; and the
+Englishman, whose ugly name was Hogg, talked big about applying to his
+ambassador, Sir William Trumbull, but was induced to let the matter
+drop. The ambassador shortly had worse things to complain of.
+
+The next day was the Catholic Feast of St. Magdalen, which, though we
+Huguenots felt no manner of respect for, we were obliged to conform to
+outwardly, by not selling or working in open shops, till the services
+of the day were over. We made up to ourselves for it by having a
+prayer-service of our own in-doors, followed by a long exposition and
+exhortation from a godly minister named Brignolles, who warned us of
+times of trial that should soon be revealed, and adjured us to put on
+the whole armor of God, that we might be able to withstand in the evil
+day, and having done all, to stand. Then, after our mid-day meal, we
+went forth to see the show.
+
+This time I had the care of Gabrielle, and wished I had not, for she was
+in her giddiest humor, and a young man, whose appearance I did not like,
+continually hung about us, and looked attentively at her, which I
+resented, but she was evidently pleased with. At length, some waxwork
+attracting our notice, a change took place in the disposition of our
+party. I shifted the charge of Gabrielle to her father, and got
+Madeleine instead. My memories of the rest of the day are more about
+Madeleine than anything else.
+
+I remember, though, that we fell in with our neighbors the Lefevres at
+a waxwork stall, and while Madeleine and I were admiring some fruit that
+exactly imitated nature, little Jules Lefevre stretched out his hand to
+touch a little waxen boy with a lamb, saying, "Pretty, pretty!"
+
+"Dear child, you shall have it!" cried a honeyed voice behind; and a
+lady nicely dressed put the image into his hand, and stooped down to
+kiss him. When Marie Lefevre turned round, and saw what her little boy
+held, she looked displeased, and made him lay it on the stall again, for
+it was one of those papistical images which we hold in detestation.
+
+At night, when all had dispersed but our own immediate party, there was
+a pause, and I saw that the elders had something on their minds that
+they were about to unfold. I felt a strange emotion that presaged what
+was coming, for not a hint had been dropped.
+
+"Son," said my father--and I looked towards him with awe--"you are now
+on the confines of manhood, and it behooves us to consider your future.
+At your time of life I was betrothed to your mother, and a share was
+promised me of my father's business. What are your own views respecting
+your course in life?"
+
+All the elder people fixed their eyes on me with gravity, and Madeleine
+afterwards told me her heart stopped beating; while Gabrielle struggled
+with a disposition to laugh.
+
+"My views are," returned I, boldly, "to follow my honored father,
+step by step, and, his concurrence obtained, to get betrothed as fast
+as I can."
+
+"Well said, my boy," said my father, heartily, while every face wore
+a broad smile but one, which was mantling with blushes.
+
+"Provided," continued I, "that I may choose the young lady."
+
+"Let us know where your choice will fall," said my father, trying to
+keep the corners of his mouth in order, while M. Bourdinave scarcely
+suppressed a chuckle.
+
+I stepped across the room, and took Madeleine's hand. "Here is my
+choice," said I, "if she will have me. We have known each other from
+childhood."
+
+Madeleine instantly snatched her hand away, and covered her face.
+However, the next moment her father joined our hands, and gave us his
+blessing; and then we were bewildered with congratulations and good
+auguries; and Master Brignolles gave us a world of good advice, and
+offered a prayer; and my father gave me a ring of betrothal to put on
+her finger, and thus we became plighted to one another.
+
+The rest of our stay at Beaucaire passed like a dream, and its
+brightness yet remained while we pursued our homeward journey. Madeleine
+sat close behind me this time, and on her knee was little Jules Lefevre,
+whom we had taken in charge of because his father's wagon was over-full.
+He had something clasped tight in his hand, which he unclosed for a
+moment at Madeleine's request, and gave her a glimpse of a little "Agnus
+Dei," which he said had been given him by "the pretty lady." How or when
+she had done so, we never made out. Madeleine tried to get it from him;
+but he resisted with all his might, saying it was "his own."
+
+"It must be confessed," said Gabrielle, "that the Catholic churches have
+much more in them to attract the eye than our plain temples."
+
+"Who denies it?" said I. "Their appeals are to the outward senses, which
+never influence the heart."
+
+"I think my heart would be very much influenced by them," said
+Gabrielle, "if I had not been brought up to think them wrong."
+
+"I cannot bear to hear you talk in that way, sister," said Madeleine.
+"Pray, do not seem indifferent to the blessings of a purer faith."
+
+Gabrielle pouted, and said, "Indifferent? no; but perhaps if you and I
+had been brought up Catholics, we might have been as positive we held
+the purer faith as we are now that we are of the Reformed."
+
+"A very good thing, then, that you were not so brought up," said I,
+"for then I should not have been betrothed to Madeleine;" and to prevent
+her pursuing so unpleasant a subject, I lifted up my voice and sang.
+Little Jules presently dropped asleep in Madeleine's arms, and his
+little fat fingers unclosing, the dangerous bauble dropped from them,
+and, by a dexterous touch of my whip, I flicked it into the road.
+By-and-by, awaking, he cried for it, and beat Madeleine with his tiny
+fists; nor was pacified till his attention was diverted by an almost
+interminable file of mules, with their five or six olive-faced muleteers
+in brown jackets and red sashes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+LES ARÈNES.
+
+
+When we got back, we found my uncle Chambrun, my mother's only brother,
+standing at the door. He was the minister of a small town near Avignon,
+and did not care to go to the Fair; nevertheless he was very glad to
+hear all about it from those who had been there. We were well pleased
+to have so ready a listener; and when we had said our say, he fell into
+grave talk with my father and mother of the signs of the times, which
+he thought very threatening.
+
+"What can we expect otherwise," said he, "with Louis the Fourteenth
+for king and Louvois for his minister, and Père la Chaise for his
+confessor, and Madame de Maintenon for his confidante and adviser?
+A storm is gathering overhead, but never mind--there is a heaven higher
+than all." These words checked us; but youthful spirits soon rise, and
+the impression did not last long. I now seemed walking on air, for I
+loved and was loved by Madeleine.
+
+A few days after our return from Beaucaire, Marie Lefevre burst in on us
+with troubled looks, and exclaimed,
+
+"Have you seen my boy?"
+
+"No!" exclaimed we all.
+
+"Then something has befallen him," cried she, wringing her hands. "We
+have lost sight of him."
+
+We gathered about her, full of pity, and asked where he had last been
+seen.
+
+"Near Les Arènes."
+
+"He may have fallen into some pit, or lost himself among the dungeons,"
+said my mother. "We will go and help you to find him."
+
+So she and I accompanied Marie, who was crying bitterly, and made
+frequent inquiries for him by the way.
+
+When we got inside that vast, circular inclosure, we agreed that Marie
+should explore one side and we the other, and thus meet at the other
+end. This took us some time, for you must know that it consists of two
+stories, each of sixty arcades, seventy feet high; and under its great
+arches and pillars are many vaulted chambers and passages, wherein good
+Christians have been confined; and again, wherein other good Christians
+have found asylums in time of hot persecution. Within the amphitheatre
+were originally thirty-two rows of seats, which would accommodate at
+least twenty thousand spectators that had a mind to feast their eyes on
+scenes of blood in the central arena. I looked with curiosity at this
+place, which I had never so thoroughly visited before. Some of the dens
+were still in use for the bulls that were baited on Sundays, and others
+seemed lairs for rogues and vagabonds; but there was many a corner
+which, as I said to my mother, would afford a good hiding-place in time
+of danger, and one, especially, in which I thought a fugitive might defy
+detection (though _I_ had detected it).
+
+Well, we hunted high and low, but could not find little Jules. His
+mother was distracted: we feared she would lose her reason altogether.
+Madeleine devoted herself to her like an angel; neighbors were full of
+compassion--those of our own persuasion, I mean; for the Catholics
+mocked her and said, "Go seek him in the Jews' quarter. The Jew baker's
+daughter has, doubtless, made him into pies. Go seek him in their secret
+assemblies--in their cellars--in their slaughter-houses--doubtless they
+are fattening him for their Passover." Conceive the anguish of the
+mother.
+
+At length she found he was not dead. Her heart leaped for joy. But
+when she found how the case stood with him, she was ready to wish
+him dead and numbered among the little children that follow the Lamb
+whithersoever he goeth. Jules had been kidnapped and tampered with by
+the Catholics. The little apostate had been taught to curse his parents.
+
+The case occasioned a great deal of talk in Nismes at the time;
+unhappily, similar kidnappings made it soon forgotten, except by the
+family.
+
+One day, when I had been hunting for him, I came suddenly on the young
+man who had stared so rudely at Gabrielle at Beaucaire. I was sorry to
+see him in Nismes. I did not like the look of him, with his narrow head,
+low forehead, and eyes too near his nose, though otherwise he was well
+enough. Returning to our factory, I found him just coming out of it.
+I said to my father, "Who is that?" He said, "A troublesome fellow,
+I think, but he brought a message from your uncle Nicolas. He is called
+Martin Prunevaux. He asked me all manner of impertinent questions, and,
+if he fall in with you, may ask you as many; but remember Jaques Coeur's
+motto,
+
+  "'En close bouche
+  N'entre mouche--'
+
+"And again, 'Dire, faire, taire.'"
+
+"Ay, ay, father, you may depend on me," said I, heartily.
+
+Sometimes, before I went to bed, I stepped out to get a glimpse of the
+light in Madeleine's window. I should observe, it was also Gabrielle's,
+for the sisters shared the same room. The moon cast strong lights and
+shadows, and I kept in the shade till close to the house, when what was
+my disgust to hear the wretched tinkle of a guitar under the window!
+Serenades might be all very well for Italy, but we did not favor them
+in Nismes; and stepping briskly up to the musician, I said abruptly,
+"We want none of this miserable noise!"
+
+He started as if shot, saying, "Pardon, monsieur," evidently taking
+me for one of the family; a mistake which I favored by knocking at the
+door. As I was in deep shadow he did not recognize me, but the moonlight
+fell full on his face, and I saw it was Martin Prunevaux. I felt
+exceedingly inclined to fall on him and beat him for daring to tune his
+wretched pipes under Madeleine's window; but a second thought assured me
+that Gabrielle must be his object; the more so that I was sure I saw her
+shadow (which was shorter than her sister's) fall on the curtain, and
+I could even fancy her making merry behind it. Still, I liked not such a
+fellow to come prowling about either of the sisters. I stood my ground,
+that I might not be guilty of a runaway knock, and when Alice came to
+the door I made a bungling speech and said, "Oh, I suppose the family
+are all gone to bed. I am late tonight." She said, "They are so, sir,"
+and looked surprised. I said, "There was a street musician of some sort
+before the house when I came up. I think I have chased him away." She
+said, "All the better, sir; we are much obliged to you; we never
+encourage such people."
+
+When I rallied Madeleine, next day, on having been serenaded, tears
+sprang into her eyes, and she assured me it was not her fault, adding
+that she feared Gabrielle, in her thoughtlessness, must have given some
+encouragement to a presumptuous young man. "However, when my father
+returns, he will take measures," she added, "to prevent our being
+further troubled with him." Monsieur Bourdinave was at this time
+traveling on business.
+
+The sisters spent that evening at our house as was not unusual. On these
+occasions we often sang hymns; and I had just set the tune of "Chantez
+de Dieu le renom"--
+
+
+  "Chantez de Dieu le renom,
+  Vous serviteurs du Seigneur!
+  Venez pour lui faire honneur,
+  Vous qui avez eu ce don"--
+
+
+and was lifting up my voice on high, followed by the sweet treble of the
+girls, when a shower of stones rattled against the casement, and a flint
+passed close to Madeleine and hit my father on the cheekbone. Hot with
+anger, I rushed into the street, and found a group of unmannerly fellows
+outside, who, instead of taking to their heels, gathered round me with
+defiant looks.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" cried I in anger.
+
+"What is the meaning of your disturbing the neighborhood with your
+uproar?" cried one of them, saucily.
+
+"Uproar! We were singing to the praise and glory of God. Do you know
+that you have hurt my father?"
+
+"We neither know nor care; and if you don't keep a quiet tongue in your
+head, will slit it as soon as not."
+
+"Come in, son, come in," said my father, whose cheek was covered with
+blood. "As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men"--drawing
+me indoors as he spoke.
+
+"Excellent advice! Take care that he follows it," cried they,
+tauntingly, as my father shut-to the door. I was burning with rage;
+Madeleine was in tears; the children, with scared looks, were gathered
+round my mother. My father, with gentle force, drew me into the little
+circle, and made me sit down beside him.
+
+"My children," said he, "we have been warned that evil times are coming,
+and this may be the beginning. If it prove otherwise, we shall have the
+more reason to praise the Lord; but if it please Him to try and to prove
+us, let us not be found unprepared. Our strength lies in prayer, in not
+giving offence, and in not being easily offended."
+
+"We gave no offence, father," said I.
+
+"But you were too easily offended. If any one had cause of complaint, it
+was I; but I do not take it up."
+
+My mother was meanwhile bathing his cut cheek and applying a plaster.
+
+"Sure, it would make any son's blood boil, to see his father hit!" cried
+I; and I saw that Madeleine sympathized with me.
+
+"Why, then, let his blood cool again," said my father, jocularly. "Tush,
+many a school-boy gets a worse hurt than this, and makes no moan. There!
+your mother has made all right, and I feel no smart. Let us say no more
+about it."
+
+I thought he strikingly acted on our Lord's axiom of "If thine enemy
+smite thee on the one cheek, offer him the other," but could not just
+then enter into it. I longed to give those rascals a good beating.
+
+"Now, then, I'll set the tune again," said I, affecting composure.
+
+But, "No, no," said the girls simultaneously; and "No, no," said my dear
+mother. "Don't you see," she continued, "I have all this broken glass to
+pick up? If you will do me a real kindness, you will step round to the
+glazier, the first thing in the morning, and get him to mend the window
+before breakfast."
+
+"I'll go at once," said I; but "No, no," was again the word. My father
+laid his hand firmly on my right arm, and Madeleine hers on my left.
+Though her touch was as light as a snow-flake, I would not have shaken
+it off for the world.
+
+"The streets are unquiet to-night," said my father, "and I mean no one
+to go forth till the girls return home, when we will see them safely to
+their door; going out the back way."
+
+So we spent the next hour in a sober, subdued manner. Madeleine shyly
+let me steal her hand and hold it some minutes, as though she knew it
+would calm me. And so it did; there was much sweetness in that hour,
+after all.
+
+At length it was time to see them home; my mother kissed and blessed
+them as if they were going further than into the next street. We went
+out the back way, my father taking Gabrielle and I Madeleine, and we met
+with no evil by the way. Being rather high-wrought, I would willingly
+have faced a little danger for Madeleine's sake.
+
+I kissed her soft cheek unrebuked, and followed my father through the
+dark with a happy heart Mechanically, rather than from either devotion
+or defiance, I began to hum "Chantez de Dieu," when my father's warning
+hand plucked my sleeve, and, at the same instant, a rough voice beside
+me said, "Hold your peace! Have you not heard of the _arrêt?_" and
+passed on.
+
+We had heard nothing of any _arrêt_; but next morning, when I went
+to the glazier's, he told me that an order had been issued forbidding
+the Reformed to sing psalms in the streets and public walks, or even
+within their own houses loud enough to be heard outside. And he told
+me he was so full of work that he hardly knew which way to turn, in
+consequence of the many windows broken over night by evil-disposed men
+suborned to interrupt psalmody. I asked him, half jesting, if he thought
+any of the suborned men were glaziers; but it hurt him, for he was as
+good a Huguenot as any in Nismes.
+
+Going home with him, I saw a horrid sight--a dead body that had been
+some time buried, torn from the grave, stripped of its shroud, and lying
+in the gutter. I shuddered, and asked the glazier if we had not better
+tell the authorities; but he hurried on, saying, "Better let it be. The
+authorities doubtless know all about it." So there had we to leave the
+ghastly object, though its remaining there was equally prejudicial to
+decency and to health.
+
+Men's tongues were very busy that day; every one foreboding calamity and
+nobody knowing how to meet it.
+
+My mother sent me, after breakfast, to visit my uncle Chambrun, who had
+fallen sick; and as the distance was about seven leagues, I went to him
+on a small but active horse. On my arrival, I found him in bed, with a
+royal commissioner seated beside him, who was talking to him with great
+show of courtesy, while my uncle looked much wearied. The bishop of
+Valence was on the other side of his bed. Finding myself in such high
+company, I fell back, and awaited a better opportunity of presenting
+myself.
+
+The commissioner was inquiring very sedulously after my uncle's health,
+and assuring him he respected him greatly, and wished to show him favor.
+
+"We have been constrained," said he, "to subject several of your
+colleagues to temporary confinement, but I have great hope that nothing
+of the kind will be necessary in your case, if you are a man of wisdom
+who know how to comply with exigencies as they arise, and thereby set an
+example to those around you. To this end the bishop has come to put a
+few easy interrogations. It is a mere form, and I am sure you will make
+no difficulty."
+
+My uncle thanked him for his kind expressions, but said he had a Master
+in heaven to whom he owed his first duty.
+
+"So have we all," interposed the bishop. And that he should make answer
+with that end in view and nothing else.
+
+The bishop then took up the word, and very little can I remember of what
+he said, so hampered was I by his presence; but it was plain that he
+sought to entangle my uncle in his talk. That was no easy thing to do,
+my uncle was so temperate and logical, and so much more conversant with
+the Holy Scriptures than the bishop was.
+
+The commissioner, perceiving that the bishop was getting the worst of
+it, broke in with--
+
+"All this is beside the mark. The king is determined that you, Monsieur
+Chambrun, should be a good Catholic; so it is no good begging off. You
+had much better accept the good offer made you, which I trust you will
+do on thinking it over."
+
+"The only offer I desire," replied my uncle, "is of a passport, to
+enable me, as soon as I am well enough, to follow my brother ministers
+to Holland. My reason tells me--"
+
+"A truce with your reason," interrupted the bishop, rising to go away.
+"You have too much rhetoric by half. I advise you to reflect and to
+obey."
+
+"Monseigneur, I am sure you think you are giving me the best advice,"
+said my uncle, feebly. "Nephew, see the noble and reverend gentlemen
+out."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+MY UNCLE CHAMBRUN.
+
+
+Having done so, I returned to my uncle, and said to him,--"Uncle, the
+bishop has gone away in great wrath, vowing that you shall repent of
+your conduct."
+
+"And when I would have made way for him," said my aunt, indignantly,
+"he called me a bad name, and looked as if I were the very scum of
+the earth."
+
+"Ah, he does not recognize marriages among the clergy," said my uncle,
+calmly. "Never mind him, my good Dorothée; he'd be glad enough to have a
+wife of his own, and seeing me so much better off than he is, makes him
+captious and querulous. Come and shake up my pillow, for my poor head
+aches sadly. I will try to get a little sleep."
+
+At that instant, a loud trampling of horses' feet was heard, together
+with the jingling of spurs and the clanking of armor.
+
+"What's that?" cried Aunt Dorothée, running from the bed to the window,
+and pulling back the little curtain, "Ah, le beau spectacle! Look out,
+Jacques!"
+
+It was indeed a fine spectacle, as far as mere outward splendor went,
+to see a troup of cavalry in blue and burnished steel, on powerful black
+horses, ride proudly by, making the very earth shake under them; and
+many children, attracted by the sight, ran towards them, shouting and
+throwing up their caps; but when I looked at the ferocious faces of
+these men, seamed with many an ugly scar--their lowering brows, their
+terrible eyes, their sour aspect--I felt they might be as dreadful to
+face in peace as in war. I watched them out of sight, and then placed
+myself beside my uncle, who, with closed eyes and folded hands, was
+endeavoring to sleep. My aunt went below to baste the poulet for his
+dinner. The house was very still; nothing was to be heard but the
+ticking of the clock.
+
+All at once I heard heavy feet tramping towards the house, and a
+confused medley of rough voices. The next instant, the house door was
+battered as if to break it in, which, being of solid oak, was no easy
+matter. The door being opened, I heard a faint cry of terror from my
+aunt, and a brawling and trampling impossible to describe. I looked down
+from the stair-head and counted forty-two dragoons, trampling in one
+after another, till, the house being of moderate size, there was hardly
+room for them to stand. Yet they continued to pour in, jostling,
+pushing, and elbowing one another, each trying to shout louder than his
+comrades, "Holà! holà! House! house!--Give us to eat! Give us to drink!"
+with frightful oaths and curses.
+
+"Good sirs, a moment's patience, and you shall be waited on," cried my
+terrified aunt.
+
+"To Jericho with your patience! We wait for nobody. I decide for this
+poulet," said one, taking it up hot in his hands, and bawling because
+they were burnt; "dress two dozen more--cook all you have in the
+poultry-yard, or we will cook you."
+
+"I claim my share of that poulet," says one.
+
+"Why not have one apiece?" said another. "Who would make two bites of a
+cherry? He has gnawn off all the best mouthfuls already. Come, be quick,
+mistress housewife! Where are the cellar keys?"
+
+"I've mislaid them, good sirs," said the poor terrified woman.
+
+"We'll kick the door open, then. Here's a ham! here are two hams! Ha!
+ha! ham is good--we will heat the copper and boil them."
+
+"No, slice them and fry them," says another; "they take too long to
+boil. Bread!--where's the bread? Where's the oven? If it were big
+enough, goody, we'd put you into it."
+
+"Ha! ha! what have I found here!--a bag of money."
+
+"Divide! divide!" shouted two dozen voices.
+
+"It's mine, I found it!" cried the first. Then they fell to blows,
+and some of them fell sprawling to the ground, and were kicked, the bag
+was snatched from the finder, and the money scattered on the floor;
+then they scrambled for it, as many as could get near it, laughing and
+cursing; while others ransacked drawers, cupboards, and shelves, and
+others broke open the cellar door, and began to drink.
+
+Terrified beyond expression, I went back to my uncle, and saw, to my
+surprise and relief, that he had fallen into a heavy sleep, which was
+a restorative he particularly needed. On looking from the window,
+I say my aunt, almost incapacitated by her fears, attempting to catch
+the poultry, in which the dragoons alternately helped and hindered her,
+roaring with laughter when a hen flew shrieking over their heads, and
+then abusing my aunt. They were quickly caught and plucked, and set,
+some to roast, some to broil, according to their capricious mandates;
+and then, when everything was in as fair train for their disorderly
+feast as it well could be (two or three additional fires having been
+kindled), one of them said, "Let us divert the time with a little good
+music;" and began to beat a drum.
+
+"Louder! louder!" cried his comrades. "Let's have a chorus of drums!"
+How they came to have so many, I know not, except that they were brought
+for the special purpose of tormenting; but they produced six or eight,
+slung them round their necks, and began to beat them, crying,--
+
+"Now for the tour of the house!"
+
+"Sure my uncle must be dead!" thought I, leaning over him anxiously. But
+no, his breath came and went, though inaudibly, and had he been allowed
+to finish his sleep in peace it might have been for his healing.
+
+Instead of this, I heard the dragoons come stamping upstairs, producing
+a muffled roll on their drums that sounded like muttering thunder. They
+went into one room after another, and speedily reached that of my uncle,
+on catching sight of whom they triumphantly exclaimed, "Hah! ha! v'lâ
+notre ami! Here is he whom we seek, and for whom we prepare the
+reveille." And ranging themselves round his bed in a moment of time, in
+spite of a warning gesture from me, it being impossible for my voice to
+be heard, they simultaneously beat their drums with a clangor that might
+have waked the dead. No wonder, therefore, that my poor uncle started
+from his sleep bewildered, terrified, and looking as if he believed
+himself in some horrid dream. In vain he moved his lips, in vain he
+raised his clasped hands to one and another, as if in supplication; the
+more distress he showed the more noise they made, till it seemed to me
+as if my eardrums would split. In the midst of it all up came my aunt,
+whose fortitude and presence of mind at that moment I can never
+sufficiently admire; and with forced smiles and courteous gestures made
+them to understand, in dumb show, that the first course of their meal
+was served. Instantly the drums ceased; one of them seized her by the
+shoulders, and hurried her down stairs before him, the others clattering
+after him. I turned, and saw my uncle raise his eyes and hands to
+heaven, and fall back on his pillow.
+
+There was now a lull, while the viands were being consumed; but soon a
+new uproar arose--the supply was inadequate for the demand: every morsel
+of food in the house was consumed at one sitting, and yet there was not
+nearly enough. The dragoons were furious: they gathered about my aunt,
+pulling her hair, threatening her with their fists, threatening to boil
+her in her own copper, and set fire to the house, with her sick husband
+in it, if she did not procure an ample supply. With matchless patience
+she looked one after another in the face, said, "Attendez, attendez,
+messieurs, s'il vous plait;" and then, calling me down, bid me go forth
+and beg of my neighbors as much food as I could.
+
+When wondering much at my aunt's fortitude and self-possession, she
+afterwards told me that she lifted her heart to God in earnest prayer,
+and there came to her the comforting remembrance of these words.
+"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for
+theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
+
+Alas! what a scene presented itself out of doors. The people were
+running up and down in despair; a woman rushed wildly out of her house,
+and seized me by the arm, crying, "They are batooning my husband!"
+Another shrieked from a window, 'Help, help, they are killing my
+father!' Children ran about the streets, crying, "Oh, my father!--oh,
+my mother!" It seemed a heartless task to be going from one to another
+begging something to eat under such piteous circumstances; and yet how
+knew I that as bad or worse a tragedy might be acted at my uncle's if
+I failed to supply what was wanted?
+
+At length I returned, staggering under the weight of a huge cheese and a
+bag of chestnuts. And though I was reviled for not bringing them better
+cheer, yet I pacified them by smiling like my aunt, and echoing her
+"Attendez, messieurs, s'il vous plait;" and started forth again on my
+foraging expedition, though very doubtful of having anything to bring
+back.
+
+How long were these horrible men going to stay? How could we go on
+supplying their wants at this rate? If their orders were to eat my uncle
+out of house and home, and drive him and my aunt to distraction, would
+it not be just as well to let them do so at once, and have done with it?
+
+One and another to whom I applied were so full of their own griefs that
+I had to listen to what they had to say before they would or could hear
+a word from me in return. One had been hung up by his feet over a
+chimney; another had a knife held to his throat; one had seen her little
+infant nearly strangled; another had been dragged along the ground by
+her hair. I could not help pitying them sincerely, but not so much as
+I should have done, but for the sad plight of my uncle. When I, with a
+kind of wrench, forced the talk into the subject of what was going on at
+his house, they, through their great love for him, forgot for a moment
+their own trials in thinking of his; and those who had anything to
+contribute brought it out, and those who had nothing to spare made up
+for it in pity. All this consumed so much time that when I got back it
+was nearly dark, and the house was all in a blaze with lights, for the
+dragoons had lighted candles all over the house; and some of them were
+stupid with drink, and lying in heaps; others were rendered quarrelsome
+by it, and fighting and abusing one another; but as for the drummers,
+they never ceased. They were at it when I set forth, they were at it
+while I was away, they were at it when I came back again, and stared at
+the good things I spread out before them without once staying their
+drumsticks. I was so sick of it by this time, and so unable to disguise
+my disgust and anger, that I persuaded myself I might as well return
+home, for that I could do no good where I was, and things could get no
+worse without me. So I went up to my aunt, who was then sitting like
+a stone image, without seeming able to hear or see anything, and made
+signs of leave-taking. She grasped my hand in both hers, and looked up
+so piteously at me, her lips moving as if with the words "do not go,"
+that I felt I must stay by her, come what would. For was she not my
+mother's sister-in-law? and was not my uncle my mother's brother? I made
+a sign I would remain, on which she kissed my hands; and then I patted
+her on the shoulder, and could not help letting fall a tear. Then she
+got up, and bestirred herself for the men, hoping, no doubt, they would
+intermit their drumming if she could but conciliate them. But as soon
+as one relay ceased drumming another took it up; and thus, shameful to
+relate, they continued the whole night without intermission, crowding
+round my uncle's bed, making his room intolerably hot and close, and
+pushing in and out of the room and up and down the stairs.
+
+My uncle now lay in a kind of torpor; the expression of his face painful
+to witness; his wan hands lying outside the counterpane, and now and
+then slightly moving, which showed me he still lived. Towards daybreak
+I was so worn out that I dropped asleep as I sat beside him with my
+face on the edge of his pillow--such deep sleep that I neither heard
+nor dreamed of the drumming. When I woke, with a strangely confused,
+unrefreshed feeling, the daylight was faintly making its way into the
+room, which had no one in it but my uncle, my aunt, and me. She seemed
+to have crawled with difficulty to the foot of his bed, and there sunk
+and fallen asleep I went out on the landing--candles were burning in
+their sockets with a vile smell--the house was full of vile smells
+and of confusion and disorder--the house-door stood ajar--one or two
+dragoons lay sleeping heavily on the ground. I went up again to tell
+my aunt, and found her straightening my uncle like a corpse. At the
+same moment a dragoon came up behind me. He was going to recommence the
+disturbance, when I pointed to the bed, and said, sternly, "See what you
+have done. You may now go away satisfied with having made this lately
+peaceful family completely wretched. God grant you forgiveness ere you
+are laid out like those cold remains."
+
+The dragoon looked confounded. He muttered something, turned on his
+heel, said something to his companions below, and we presently saw them
+run out of the house. I went and shut the door. On returning I saw my
+uncle was not dead. Their thinking him so was a mercy, since it gave
+him a little respite. He was too weak to be moved, but he begged me to
+return home and tell what had happened to my parents: adding, as I left
+him, "Do not make the affair worse than it is." I thought it would be
+difficult to do that.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE PASSPORT.
+
+
+When I reached home it was some hours after sunrise. The dragoons, just
+recalled from the Spanish frontier, where they were no longer wanted,
+were spreading themselves over the country with the express commission
+to harass the Huguenot inhabitants as much as possible, short of death,
+but had not yet reached Nismes.
+
+I entered my father's house. Contrary to custom, he was not at the
+factory, but awaiting my return. He rose when I appeared, and stood
+silently looking at me, while my mother put her hands on my shoulders,
+and looked piteously in my face.
+
+"Son, thou hast been out all night."
+
+"At my uncle's, mother. He was ill in bed; the dragoons were there; and
+my aunt begged me to stay as a safeguard."
+
+"You did quite right to comply, my boy," said my father, heartily.
+"I trust the dragoons did not misuse thy good uncle."
+
+"I know not what you call misusing," replied I, "if beating their
+drums round his bed all night did not deserve that term. They almost
+killed him with their clamor--ate everything in the house--called for
+more--reviled my aunt--scrambled for her money--broke open the cellar,
+and drank every drop it contained."
+
+I spoke this so fast as to be almost unintelligible; they listened in
+silent dismay. My father, then bidding me be seated, desired me to go
+over the whole matter from the beginning, with composure and method.
+Having drunk a cup of water, I did so; and we then held a family
+council, in which it was decided that my uncle, in his precarious
+health, would probably sink under a similar attack of the dragoons,
+and that it would be expedient for me to return to him at dusk with a
+covered cart, well supplied with hay, and to place him thereon and bring
+him back with me, to be kept at our house, in secresy and safety, till
+he should be able to escape from the kingdom--"though this would have
+been an easier matter to effect," observed my father, "before he had
+made himself personally obnoxious to the bishop."
+
+My father then went to his daily business at the silk-factory, while I
+remained behind awhile with my mother, to assist her in clearing out a
+loft for my uncle's reception, the entrance to which could be concealed.
+
+I then paid a hasty visit to Madeleine, whom I found bathed in tears,
+as she had learnt from my mother that I had been away all night; and
+though this at another time would have occasioned no alarm, yet at
+a season of so much uneasiness she had foreboded some sad calamity.
+My sudden appearance caused a fresh flow of tears, but they were of
+thankfulness for my safety. A few tender words reassured her. I then
+gave her a short account of what had passed, taking care, as my uncle
+desired me, not to make things worse than they were. But still it was
+evident that he was marked for the victim of a persecution he was not
+in a condition to support; and as Madeleine had a sincere regard for
+him, which his character justly merited, she commended me for standing
+by him, and rejoiced that I was going to fetch him to our house.
+
+"We have not been quite undisturbed, even during your short absence,"
+said she. "Our evening service was yesterday interrupted, just as the
+congregation were in the middle of a psalm, by several officials rudely
+entering the temple, and commanding us to desist, because the Host was
+being carried by."
+
+"In the temper in which those in authority seem to be at present," said
+I, "it is to be feared that things will grow worse before they mend."
+
+"Meanwhile, remember your father's admonition, I entreat you," said
+Madeleine; "and, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
+
+"Rely on it, sweet Madeleine," said I. "I am a man of peace, not of war."
+
+Cheered by my little interview with her, I proceeded to my usual work,
+and, after supping with my family, stole quietly forth on my mission.
+
+I reached the neighboring town without misadventure, and, leaving the
+cart out of sight, raised my uncle's latch and went in. He and my aunt
+had the house to themselves (for their only servant had gone to her
+friends); and she was sitting on the bed, supporting his head on her
+shoulder.
+
+"Here's Jacques," said she, looking up.
+
+"Jacques, my good lad," said my uncle, holding out his feeble hand,
+"I thank you for this visit, and yet more for staying with us last
+night."
+
+"You have not noticed any of the dragoons lurking about outside,
+I hope?" said my aunt, anxiously.
+
+"No," said I, "all seems quiet at present; but there is no knowing
+when they will return, and my parents have sent me to fetch you away.
+My mother declares she shall know no peace till she has you under her
+roof."
+
+"My good boy, I can no more go to her than I can fly," said my uncle.
+
+"Oh yes, uncle, you can. I have brought you a nice covered cart, filled
+with hay, on which you will lie quite easily, and I will carry you down
+to it on my back."
+
+My uncle and aunt were most thankful for this, and, after very little
+preparation, closed the shutters of the little dwelling, and turned the
+key on it. My uncle was made tolerably comfortable, with my aunt seated
+beside him; and in this way we stealthily quitted the neighborhood.
+I could hear uproarious voices in the distance, and occasionally a faint
+scream or wail, but gradually left these painful sounds behind. To say
+truth, I was by no means sure of our performing this journey in safety,
+and had many alarms by the way; and as for my uncle, my aunt afterwards
+told me he was in prayer the whole of the way, to which might probably
+be ascribed our safety; for ours is a God that heareth prayer, not
+when it is a mere babble of words, in a language we do not understand,
+repeated over and over again, and made a merit of; but His ears are
+attent unto the cry of the contrite heart, and the prayer of them that
+are sorrowful.
+
+It was far into the night, or rather near morning, when we reached our
+journey's end. My father cautiously admitted us; my mother received the
+fugitives with the tenderest affection. A hot supper awaited them, after
+partaking which they were thankful to retire to the loft; and not even
+the children were to know they were there, and the youngest of our two
+servants had been sent to her home; for my father told me that the
+dragoons were expected to pay us a visit shortly, when the premises
+would doubtless be ransacked; "and since your uncle has borne the
+journey better than might have been expected," said he, "the sooner
+we can get him out of the country the better."
+
+He then told me what plans he had been devising for this purpose, and
+that if my uncle were equal to it on the morrow, I should set him and my
+aunt on their way to a certain point, which, if they reached in safety,
+they would then be cared for.
+
+"The greatest difficulty," said he, "is about a passport; but that may
+possibly be procured on the frontier, for the great object of government
+seems to be to chase all our godly ministers out of the kingdom, that
+their flocks, deprived of their strengthening exhortations, may fall an
+easier prey."
+
+While he thus spoke, a noise at the door, as if some one were hammering
+on it with his fist, made us start.
+
+"Who's there?" said my father, without withdrawing the bolt.
+
+"Your neighbor Romilly," returned the other; and we, knowing his voice,
+let him in.
+
+"Neighbor, I have traveled far and fast," said he, "and would not go
+home without looking in to tell you the bad news. They are carrying
+things hardly at Arles and Uséz, and you had better warn M. Chambrun
+he is in danger."
+
+My father changed countenance.
+
+"He and his wife are with us at this moment," said he.
+
+"They must depart, then," said Romilly, "and without loss of time, or
+she will not be allowed to go with him. See, here is a passport," said
+he, dubiously smiling, "which will do for him as well as the person for
+whom it was intended. He shall have it."
+
+We thanked him warmly, and after a little more eager talk, he hurried
+homeward. Day was now breaking, and I threw myself on my bed for a short
+sleep. When I awoke, my dear mother was beside me.
+
+"Your uncle is awake, and talking to your father," said she, softly. "He
+refuses the passport, because it was not made out for himself, saying he
+will not do an evil that good may come."
+
+"This is sheer madness," said I, springing up.
+
+"It is consistency," said my mother. "We are now on the brink of a great
+struggle between the powers of light and darkness. Those who feel they
+have no strength of their own to meet it with, and do not care to seek
+it from above, will probably give in at the very first word--certainly
+do so sooner or later; but those whose adhesion to God's cause is of any
+worth, will brace themselves for the encounter, knowing that He can and
+will arm them for the fight."
+
+"You approve my uncle's making a point of conscience, then, of this?"
+
+"I must say I do, though your father is angry with him for it. Perhaps,
+during the day, we may yet get him a proper passport; for if the
+authorities are so anxious to get rid of our godly ministers, surely
+they will not hinder their departure. However that may be, you are to
+convey your uncle and aunt towards the coast tonight."
+
+"She goes with him, then?"
+
+"She will not leave him. They have lost all their money, but we have
+made a little purse for them. Oh, my child, what times are these! You
+have scarcely had any rest these two nights; but do not forget to say
+your morning prayers."
+
+And kissing my forhead, she left me, that I might obey her injunction.
+
+It may be said that trade was at a standstill that day. The weaver at
+his loom, the jeweler behind his counter, the baker at his
+kneading-trough, all thought and talked but of one subject, the expected
+visitation of the dragoons.
+
+My father, with vexation, gave me back the passport, saying, "Your uncle
+will not use it, so you must return it to Romilly."
+
+Romilly raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders when I did so,
+saying, "What will he do, then?"
+
+"I know not. Take his chance, I suppose."
+
+"Here, take you it," said he, thrusting it into my pocket "He may be
+glad of it at the end."
+
+It was a sad day. Mothers were weeping over their new-born infants; men
+were talking to one another in anger and sorrow. The Catholics were
+already carrying their heads high, and smiling scornfully as we passed
+them. I thought, "Oh that we were in a desert, all to ourselves, with
+none to impugn our faith!" But then I called to mind that without
+needing to be in a desert, people might dwell in happy countries where
+each man's faith is respected and tolerated. I hoped my uncle would
+safely reach one of these happy countries; but yet one's native land is
+very dear after all!
+
+Twilight came; the parting took place amid tears and embraces and
+benedictions; and soon I was driving my good uncle and aunt towards the
+coast. We had gone some miles, when a man, scarcely distinguishable in
+the dark, emerged from a corner and said, "Who goes there?"
+
+I was greatly alarmed, but my uncle, recognizing the voice, said, "Oh,
+Joseph, is it thou? Whither art thou bound?"
+
+"Fleeing for my life," said Joseph, "as I take it you are doing. It is
+well you have escaped, though I cannot make out how you come to be so
+far on the road. I have just left your neighborhood; the dragoons are
+turning your house out of window."
+
+"Give him a lift, Jacques," said my uncle to me; "the poor man is
+weary." Finding him to be one of my uncle's flock, I readily did so;
+the more that his tone and words betokened honesty.
+
+"Sir, you are doubtless going to join your brother-ministers," said
+Joseph. "Have you a passport?"
+
+"I have not, but I hope to get one on the frontier, or find some other
+path open to me," said my uncle.
+
+"Let us trust the 'other path' may open, then," said Joseph, "for most
+vexatious obstacles are being thrown in the way of our ministers on the
+frontier; they are either refused passports altogether, or such as they
+are provided with are declared worthless."
+
+"Romilly's passport, then, will be no good," thought I, and I was musing
+on the moral advantage to my uncle of his having refused to use it from
+the first, when Joseph in alarm cried--
+
+"Hist--I hear some one galloping hard after us. Let us whip on as fast
+as we can."
+
+But we had just reached the foot of a heavy ascent, and the pursuer
+gained upon us, and presently came up panting.
+
+"Is Minister Chambrun here?" cried he, breathlessly.
+
+"Who are you that ask?" returned I. At the same instant my uncle cried--
+
+"Yes, here I am. What is it?"
+
+"What a dance you have led me!" cried the messenger. "I come from the
+commissioner, who sends you a passport, and desires you to go to
+Bordeaux as fast as you can."
+
+What a smile broke over my uncle's face!
+
+"Said I not," cried he, joyfully, "that a path would doubtless open for
+me? Henceforth, my children, never distrust the Lord."
+
+His course was now altered. Instead of making for the nearest coast,
+now within a few miles, on the borders of the Mediterranean, he decided
+to proceed with all convenient speed to Montauban, where my aunt had
+friends, thence down the Garonne, and so to Bordeaux. I could but set
+him on his way and trust his future course to the same good Providence
+that had hitherto protected him. My aunt was decided to follow his
+fortunes, happen what would.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+TRIAL BY FIRE.
+
+
+Day was far spent before I got back, my horse having gone lame. There
+seemed unusual disturbance in the town; I distinguished a distant hum of
+many voices, and all at once a shrill cry that made me shudder, followed
+by the passionate wailing of children, and the incessant barking of
+dogs. I took the back way to our house, where lay our stable, and
+entering the little yard, saw to my dismay six or eight cavalry horses
+standing in it. I sprang from my cart and hurried into the house, on the
+threshold of which my little brother Charles met me all in tears, and
+cried, "Oh, they're burning mamma!"
+
+I burst into the kitchen; there was a roaring fire on the hearth, which
+a dragoon was feeding with handfuls of paper torn from our great family
+Bible; but there were also great billets of wood burning, which threw
+out intense heat, and close in front of it was placed my mother, penned
+in with heavy pieces of furniture, while two dragoons in front of her
+were thrusting their clenched fists in her face, saying, "Now then, you
+obstinate woman! will you roast like a pig, or say where he is gone?"
+
+My mother looked immovable as stone, but directly I entered, I saw her
+change countenance a little. My father lay on the ground, bound hand and
+foot, while a dragoon was preparing to beat him with a heavy bridle.
+
+"Ah, ah, here is the young cub," cried they as I entered; "here is the
+young fellow that was attending on his uncle!" Then, with more bad
+language than I choose to repeat, they bade me tell where I had carried
+him, unless I would see my mother roasted alive.
+
+"Out of your reach," said I, boldly; "so now let my mother go free," and
+springing towards her, I released her before they could throw themselves
+upon me. The next minute, we were rolling on the ground, but, as my
+mother for the moment was safe, I did not mind the blows I was getting,
+but returned them with a fire-iron that lay within reach. I dealt blows
+with such a will that for a time I had the advantage, never ceasing to
+shout, "Never fear, mother! All's safe! he's on the wide sea. Fly with
+the children and leave me to deal with these gentry."
+
+This so enraged them that they redoubled their violence; no wonder,
+then, that I was got down at last, bound hand and foot, and my feet made
+bare to receive the bastinado. Before they laid it on, they put the
+question to me:
+
+"Wilt thou now, then, recant thine accursed doctrines?"
+
+"What doctrines?" said I, to gain time.
+
+"Those that are falsely called reformed."
+
+"Oh yes, all that are falsely called reformed."
+
+They stood at pause on this, and looked at one another.
+
+"He gives in," muttered one.
+
+"Not a bit," replied another. "He is only lying."
+
+"Well but, mark you, that's no matter of ours," said the first.
+
+"I tell you it is!" roared the second, pushing him aside. "Let me take
+him in hand. You don't know how to question him." Then accosting me, in
+a defiant sort of way (he was far from sober), he said,
+
+"Hark ye, young man. Now answer for your life. Give us no double
+meanings. What is your religion?"
+
+"That which was brought us and taught us by our Lord Jesus Christ."
+
+"Do you believe in St. Peter?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"And in the Virgin Mother of God?"
+
+"The angel Gabriel called her blessed among women."
+
+"But do you worship her?"
+
+"I reverence her, and worship her Divine Son."
+
+"Do you worship her, I say?" threatening me with the stirrup-leather.
+
+"Son, son," put in my father.
+
+"Silence, old man!" and they hit him on the mouth.
+
+"Do you worship her?"
+
+"I do not."
+
+Then they beat the soles of my feet, till my father in anguish cried,
+"Oh, I cannot bear this--" but had to bear it. And so had I. But on
+their burning my soles with a red-hot iron, a merciful Providence took
+me out of their hands, by bringing me insensibility. How long they
+pursued their barbarities after I fainted, I know not; but when I came
+to myself, it was in cold and darkness, lying in the open street, where
+I suppose they had cast me, thinking me dead. How long a time must have
+passed! for the stars were shining above me. Where were my parents, my
+brothers and sisters? I tried to raise myself a little and look around,
+but was beaten and bruised so that I was in agonies of pain, and sank
+back on the ground. The cold made my wounded feet smart indescribably;
+but while, with closed eyes, I was inwardly murmuring, "Lord, help thy
+poor servant, for I cannot help myself;" something that made me wince
+with pain, but the next moment gave exquisite relief, was applied to
+the soles of my feet, and the next instant I heard the hushed voices of
+those who were dearest to me on earth, my mother and Madeleine "Can it
+be that we are too late?" said Madeleine. "No, his pulse yet beats,
+though as feebly as possible. Oh, what he must have suffered, and how
+I love him for not having given in!"
+
+In pain though I was, a smile of joy broke over my face on this, and
+I opened my eyes.
+
+"Praise the Lord, he revives!" said my mother. "How art thou, my son?"
+
+"I shall do well, my mother--," but I could not speak another word.
+I closed my eyes, and felt about to faint.
+
+"Jacques, dear Jacques," said Madeleine, whispering energetically and
+distinctly, close to my ear, "be of good courage, and God will help
+thee. I have found a place of safety in the vaults of Les Arènes,
+whither Gabrielle has already taken the children; and now, if you can
+but master the pain enough to get there with such help as we can give
+you, before the dragoons return, we shall all be safe."
+
+"Oh, most certainly I will," said I, trying to rise; but when I
+attempted to set my feet to the ground, I was in such anguish that
+I nearly fell down; but what will not "needs must" effect? The poor
+galley-slaves at Marseilles and Dunkirk can tell how, when it seems
+impossible for them to pull another stroke, the taskmaster's whip,
+mercilessly applied, proves that they not only can pull still, but pull
+well too. I am ashamed to say how these two beloved women had almost to
+carry me, a stout youth; and even all their strength might have been
+insufficient but for the potent spur of the dragoons' return. With an
+arm round the neck of each, and resting almost my entire weight on their
+shoulders, I managed to scuffle along, very slowly and with fearful
+pain, towards Les Arènes. We paused now and then, under the deep shadow
+of a wall, for me to regain my strength. I was astonished at my mother's
+utter forgetfulness of herself in her care for me; and said, "Were you
+much burnt, my mother?"
+
+"No, my son; no," she answered, cheerfully; but in truth she was sadly
+seared and blistered, and her heroism under suffering might be likened
+to that of the martyrs of old.
+
+"What took place after I fainted?" said I.
+
+"They believed you were dead, and threw you into the road," said my
+mother, "saying they hoped the dogs would come and lick your blood like
+Ahab's. After that a trumpet was blown, and there seemed something going
+on in the town, and they all ran off. The children had meanwhile taken
+refuge with Madeleine; and I then took the opportunity of raising your
+father, after cutting his bonds, and sending him off to the factory,
+whence he was to return with men to carry you away, but they have never
+come, and I fear some mischief may have befallen him. I would fain have
+gone to see, but you were my first object. I could not carry you, and
+went to Madeleine for help. She had just gone with Gabrielle and the
+children to Les Arènes; but while I was preparing bandages and a
+liniment for your poor feet, she returned and accompanied me back."
+
+"Madeleine is a good angel," said I, pressing my arm more closely to
+her.
+
+"What is your case to-day, may be ours to-morrow," said she.
+
+We continued our painful and tedious course, "lurking in the thievish
+corners of the streets," like evil-doers, if we saw any one coming. The
+moon was dangerously bright, but the shadows were proportionately dark,
+and at length we reached Les Arènes, with their depths of mysterious
+shadow, and solemn pillars and arches silvered by the white beams.
+Though the amphitheatre is in the heart of the city, the neighborhood
+seemed unusually deserted. People had fled, or were cowering in
+hiding-places, or were flocking to see what was going on elsewhere.
+I cannot otherwise account for it. Only that as we passed near the
+house of good old Monsieur de Laccassagne, we could hear the abominable
+uproar of drums within it, and it would seem as if all the drummers in
+Nismes must have been congregated to drive the poor old gentleman to
+distraction. We had also seen in the distance, floods of light streaming
+from the windows of the cathedral, and heard a strange murmur of cries,
+and we afterwards learnt that multitudes of poor people of the baser
+sort had been driven like oxen or silly sheep into the church, pricked
+on by the dragoons' swords and shouts of "Kill! kill!" to be present
+at mass.
+
+But now, as we gained a spot where, at the end of a street, we could
+gain a distant glimpse of our factory, we perceived the sky red with
+flurid flames bursting from it.
+
+"The factory is on fire!" I exclaimed.
+
+Then my mother wrung her hands, crying, "Oh, my husband! you are ruined,
+perhaps sacrificed! I must go in quest of thee, and leave my son with a
+faithful friend."
+
+Then she hastened off towards the factory, and I could not blame her
+nor wonder at her, though my heart misgave me that she might fall into
+mischief.
+
+Madeleine's support was insufficient for me now; but I set my teeth like
+a flint, and commanded the pain I was in every time I set foot to the
+ground. Was it not alleviation enough to have her dear arm for my stay,
+and her tender hand wiping from my brow the drops forced forth by my
+suffering?
+
+Then we came to some steps. These gave me much trouble to descend,
+especially as we were so nearly in the dark, but Madeleine seemed to
+know them pretty well.
+
+"I have often been here already," whispered she, "only not after dark,
+and have laid in stores of many things necessary for our subsistence."
+
+We were now groping along a chill stone passage, and were presently
+brought up by a wall right in front, against which we violently hit
+our heads.
+
+"I fear I have missed the way," said Madeleine, in alarm. "Hark! I hear
+the children laughing. Nothing damps the spirits at their age."
+
+The next turn brought us to the entrance of a chamber, or rather den,
+for it had probably been built for wild beasts, and formerly tenanted
+by them. A ruddy fire burned in the middle, and circles of smoke escaped
+through crannies and fissures, for of course there was no chimney.
+A savory steam arose from a large black pot suspended over this fire,
+and round it was gathered a motley and unruly group, not Gabrielle and
+the children, but of tramps, gipsies, peddlers, and very likely thieves.
+Swarthy Morescoes, Basques, I know not how many nations, were there
+represented. They were singing, carousing, and making much noise.
+
+"Here's a pretty lady," cried a gipsy woman, as Madeleine shrank back
+affrighted.
+
+"Welcome, welcome!" cried one or two voices. "Come and make one of us."
+
+"Not so fast," said a dissentient voice. "There's a young man with her.
+How do we know he is not a spy?"
+
+"Good sir, I am lame on both feet," said I, and was turning away with
+Madeleine, both of us anxious to plunge into the darkness, out of their
+sight, when a threatening, swarthy man, of great strength, prevented our
+departure.
+
+"You are neither of you going," said he, defiantly, "till you give some
+account of yourselves and your object."
+
+"We are harmless people; we have only mistaken our way," interposed
+Madeleine.
+
+"Soho! Only mistaken your way? And how come harmless people to be abroad
+at this time of night, groping about among the vaults of Les Arènes?"
+
+Before there was time to answer, a tall, lean man in black, with a
+bottle in his hand, which he had just removed from his lips, came
+forward from a corner, and said. "Hold, there, enough has been said.
+I know this young man, and, I dare say, this young maiden. We are
+very good friends. Don't you remember me?" looking sharply at me.
+
+"Not exactly," said I, straining my memory.
+
+"Oh, come, don't deny it. Last time you had the best of it; this time
+I have. Don't you remember the Fair of Beaucaire?"
+
+"Yes, of course, sir," said Madeleine, readily, "and your beautiful
+needles and pins and pretty equipage."
+
+The needle-vender looked pleased, and said, "You have a better memory
+than the young fellow; however, I owe him a good turn. You saved me from
+the hoofs of le Docteur Jameray's horse, and lent me your handkerchief.
+I have had it in keeping for you ever since," drawing it from his
+breast. Then, turning to his companions, he said, "Excuse me; I attend
+these young persons a little way. They are friends, and the young man
+is ill."
+
+In fact, my head swam round, and I swooned again, and have no
+remembrance but of a confused babble of sounds. When I came to,
+Madeleine and the needle-seller, whose name was La Croissette, were
+conveying me between them; or, in fact, he was chiefly carrying me, and
+she supporting my feet. I said, "Set me down, I'll try to walk," but
+found I could not. Then she said, "Wait here; I'll run on a little, and
+find where Gabrielle is."
+
+I would have stayed her, but she was gone. La Croissette said, "You seem
+in trouble; what is it?"
+
+I said, "Don't you know the dragoons are in Nismes? They have tried to
+burn my mother, have bound and beaten my father, destroyed our property,
+and cudgelled and burnt me till I cannot stand."
+
+He drew in his breath, and said, "Any one of those things is trouble
+enough. Is that pretty girl your sister?"
+
+"No; my affianced wife."
+
+"And you have taken to Les Arènes for safety, and left your father and
+mother behind?"
+
+"Not willingly, you may be sure. My mother and Madeleine half carried me
+hither. Then we saw my father's silk factory in flames, and she ran to
+find him."
+
+Madeleine here returned, and said, encouragingly, "I have found where
+they are; it is a very little way, and they look so comfortable!"
+
+With her help and La Croissette's I dragged myself along, and though it
+seemed a long way off, we got there at last; and very snug did the old
+vault look, with the little brazier and the lamp, and the curtain to
+keep off the draught, and food and bedding on the floor. I sank down on
+the straw they had prepared for me, and never was couch of down more
+grateful to a luxurious man than this poor pallet to me. La Croissette
+viewed the whole party with keenness, then, putting his bottle to my
+lips, said, "Take this; there's a little left." Whatever it was, it
+revived me; and then he nodded, said "Bon soir," and went away.
+
+I now became anxious for my parents, though Madeleine assured me they
+knew the way to our retreat. A long time passed; the children fell
+asleep; we remained in anxious suspense. At length we heard footsteps.
+Were they of friend or foe? Madeleine went out to see. I could not bear
+her taking on herself every office that ought to devolve upon me, but
+could not help it. In a few instants she guided my father and mother
+into our dungeon, holding a hand of each. As they entered, the red
+fire-light leaped up and showed their grave faces. The first thing my
+father did, after taking us in at a glance, was to say, "Children, let
+us pray!"
+
+Even the little ones, roused from their slumber, and but half awake,
+put up their hands. My mother and the girls knelt; my father stood.
+His prayer began with earnest thanksgiving that we were all together
+again, and that, though his worldly substance had been taken from him,
+there was no loss of life or limb. Then he returned hearty thanks that,
+in this our day of spiritual trial and temptation, there had been no
+apostacy, no temporizing cowardice, no falling short. But, he added,
+he knew, and we all knew, that this was but the beginning of sorrows;
+that many a sore trial and temptation remained behind; that we had
+no strength of our own wherewith to meet it; but that there was
+all-sufficient strength in the great Captain of our salvation. Then
+he prayed the Lord to give us his strength, sufficient for our day,
+whatever it might be, even as He had strengthened Daniel in the lions'
+den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and Peter
+and Paul and Silas in prison, and John in Patmos; and that we might have
+grace to rejoice at being accounted worthy to suffer for his name's
+sake, and be strengthened to bear testimony even before kings if need
+were; and to cast all our burden upon Him, not caring much for the
+things of this life, knowing that he could reduplicate them if it
+were his will, at any time, as he had done to Job.
+
+While he thus prayed, an ineffable calm and sweetness took possession of
+me, my eyes involuntarily closed, or, if opened at intervals, only saw
+vague, uncertain forms, and thus a deep, deep sleep fell on me, without
+even a dream, that lulled all sense of pain, and loss, and fear, and
+sorrow, until morning.
+
+"For so he giveth his beloved sleep." Words how beautiful, and true, and
+reassuring! They that expend all their little strength for him, and lay
+their little substance at his feet, are his beloved. There is no need
+to be afraid we are not; we know it; we feel it; we have the witness in
+ourselves, just as the child, nestling in his father's arms, knows that
+he loves and is beloved. I have heard persons say, "Have you the faith
+of assurance?" Yes, thank God, I have it, and have had it ever since He
+was first graciously pleased to call me to Him, and that was long, long
+ago. But all have not this faith; just as a man, wanting to go to
+Bordeaux, may not be assured he is on the road to Bordeaux, and yet he
+may be on the way thither nevertheless. Then if you have not the faith
+of assurance, practise at least the faith of adherence. That, at least,
+is in your own power. Cleave to God exactly as if you were certain of
+being accepted by Him at last; and thus, fulfilling his own conditions,
+you will be accepted by Him whether you are assured of it beforehand or
+not. "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+LA CROISSETTE.
+
+
+How chill and painful was my awaking! The soles of my feet were raw
+with so much walking after they were blistered, and the inflammation
+irritated my whole frame, which was likewise stiffened with so much
+beating. When I opened my eyes, I saw the anxious face of my dear
+mother, as she examined my wounds, and prepared with light hand to dress
+them. Nor would anybody have guessed she herself was terribly burnt, had
+not one of the children, inadvertently running against her, caused a
+sudden wince, but without any audible expression of pain. The thought
+of what she was enduring with such stoicism, or rather, let me say,
+with such Christianity, enabled me, better than any stimulant would
+have done, to endure without murmuring; and she said to me, with strong
+approval in her kind eyes, "Your wounds tell me, my poor boy, how much
+you have to bear; therefore there is no need to cry out. Our light
+affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
+exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
+
+"Yes, that is true indeed," said my father, "and things might have gone
+much worse with us."
+
+"Can you say that, my father," said I, "when you have lost all?"
+
+"I have not lost all," replied he. "Before the factory was attacked,
+I had time to disperse the workmen, dispatch a hasty line to an English
+correspondent, and secrete certain bills of exchange; so that if we can
+but find our way to England we shall, indeed, have to begin life again,
+but with God's blessing, shall not fare badly. And with that blessing,
+my son, we shall not fare badly even here."
+
+"No, indeed, father." And as I spoke I looked towards where the
+lamp-light (for we had no other) fell on the bending head of Madeleine,
+as she talked in a low voice to the children, and kept them amused.
+Not a glimpse of the sun's light could penetrate our refuge, and thus
+it always seemed night with us when, in fact, it was bright day.
+Doubtless this was tedious to all; but no one, even the children, so
+much as murmured at it, except Gabrielle, who was inexpressibly wearied,
+and now and then gave a long yawn, which set others yawning, and
+procured her a good-humored rebuke.
+
+"How long is this to last?" said she.
+
+"Till the dragoons find us out, perhaps," said my father, gravely; which
+silenced her for a little while.
+
+"Our provisions will not last long," said she presently.
+
+"Then we must procure more," said my mother. "We have enough for the
+present."
+
+"Yes, we have cheese and wine and flour; but what good is flour unless
+it is cooked?"
+
+"Do not make mountains of molehills, Gabrielle," said Madeleine, aside;
+"it is such a bad example for the children."
+
+"Well, but they are not molehills," returned Gabrielle, in rather a
+lower tone, which, however, we could hear well enough. "I suppose we
+cannot starve."
+
+"Has your endurance so soon ceased, my dear girl?" said my father.
+"Think of the believers of old. They had trials of cruel mockings and
+scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned;
+they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they
+wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted,
+tormented (of whom the world was not worthy); they wandered in deserts
+and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And yet none of
+these, though they obtained a good report in God's own word for their
+faith, had received the explicit promises through Christ, God having
+provided those better things for us; wherefore we surely should be
+ashamed to show less constancy than they did."
+
+"Oh, of course," said Gabrielle.
+
+"Think of what Jacques is bearing without a murmur," said Madeleine.
+"I'm sure he sets an example to us all."
+
+"And as to minding what we eat," said little Charles, "I'm sure I don't
+mind it a bit. Do I, mamma?"
+
+"Oh, if you are all going to be against me, I shall say no more," said
+Gabrielle.
+
+"That's right," said my mother. "Put a brave heart on it, my dear;
+I know you have it in you."
+
+Gabrielle bit her lip, but took out a comb, and began to arrange little
+Louison's hair. "Now," she whispered, "I'll make you as smart as the
+young lady we saw with Madame de Laccassagne;" and in this way she
+amused herself and the child, talking nonsense with her, and inventing
+imaginary scenes and people, all in a hushed voice, that my father might
+not hear.
+
+Suddenly, some one at the entrance of our dungeon wishing us "Bon jour,"
+made us start violently and look towards him in alarm.
+
+"You need not shrink from me," said La Croissette, advancing among us
+when he had looked around. "I may not be as good as yourselves, or I
+may be--that's neither here nor there. I'm not quite a bad fellow, I
+believe, though at times I am driven to keep indifferent company. Still,
+I am not very fond of those I'm among at present, so I thought I'd look
+in on you. Your servant, sir," to my father. "A votre service, madame,"
+very politely to my mother. "You were not here last night, when your son
+and that young lady rather unexpectedly looked in on us. To speak the
+truth, there are reasons why some of us don't relish being looked in
+on unexpectedly."
+
+"Quite natural," said my father; "no more do we."
+
+"Ah, but you need not be afraid of me," said La Croissette, "I'm no
+traitor, I! It might be rash, though, to say as much of some of my
+companions, and therefore I advise you not to be too familiar with
+them."
+
+"My good friend, we have not the least intention of being so."
+
+"Age is wary, and youth is full of trust," said La Croissette. "Not
+knowing that you, respected sir, and you, madame, were here to look
+after the younger persons, I ventured to do so myself, to bid them
+beware of their neighbors."
+
+"That was very friendly, and I thank you heartily for it," said my
+father.
+
+"Shall you remain here long?" said La Croissette.
+
+"That depends entirely on circumstances."
+
+"Doubtless you are hiding from the dragoons."
+
+"Is it necessary to tell you?"
+
+"Why, no; but you might do so without fear. I have no love for them
+myself, but nothing to fear; I am certainly not a Huguenot; but neither
+would I betray one. Come, I see you would rather I went away. I am going
+into town. There is nothing I can do for you, then?"
+
+"Nothing; we thank you very much."
+
+When he was gone, Gabrielle exclaimed, "Now that is what I call an
+opportunity wasted."
+
+"We must beware, my child, who we trust," said my mother.
+
+"Of course; but he was so evidently a harmless, good sort of man."
+
+"We had no occasion to trouble him."
+
+Gabrielle plainly thought there was a good deal of occasion. Indeed,
+had she known she was actually doomed to spend a few days in the
+vaults of Les Arènes, I am persuaded she would have fitted them up
+with upholstery and eatables, even to pickles and preserves. Meanwhile
+Madeleine was beguiling the time to the children by setting them easy
+sums on the wall, scratched with a nail, and drawing pictures for them
+with the same implement, accompanied with stories, as thus:--"Once on a
+time there was a poor Christian captive in this very dungeon--here he is
+(drawing his picture)--sentenced to be thrown to the lions (picture).
+Once he had been a little boy like this (picture), fond of playing with
+other little boys (picture), and ready to carry his mother's pitcher to
+the well (picture), or sweep her floor (picture), or make himself useful
+to her in any way whatever. One day,"--and so forth. Gabrielle's fancy
+was tickled with this, and when Madeleine desisted she continued it,
+though now and then with a furtive yawn. Meanwhile my father was
+pondering over the papers he had about him, and sitting immersed in
+thought, or now and then saying a little to my mother. By-and-by he
+ventured out a little without quitting the precincts of the
+amphitheatre, and returned, saying several tramps were loitering about,
+whose attention it would not be prudent to attract. The day, which
+seemed the longest I ever knew, at length drew to a close, which we only
+learnt by my father's watch, for we were out of hearing of the town
+clocks. He said it would make time pass less heavily if we divided it
+methodically, and had our set hours for meals, rest, prayer, and mutual
+improvement, whether by exhortation, discussion, or general discourse,
+We followed his lead as well as we could, but our thoughts were chiefly
+with the outer world.
+
+Just after the women and children had retired for the night to a little
+inner dungeon, La Croissette once more presented himself uninvited.
+
+"I thought, messieurs, you might like to hear the news of the day,"
+said he.
+
+"Most certainly," said my father. "Pray be seated. I wish I had a better
+seat to offer you. What is stirring?"
+
+"The news, then, is, that Nismes is being converted as fast as
+possible," said La Croissette. "No persuader, sirs, like fire and sword.
+Dragoons are quartered on every Protestant. They are destroying whatever
+they cannot make booty of. Some are littering their fine black horses
+with bales of broadcloth, silk, and cotton; others with fine Holland
+cloths. The common people are being driven to church at the sword's
+point, and conforming by shoals. The gentry give more trouble, but end
+by coming round."
+
+"Some may--some weak-hearted persons," said my father, reluctantly.
+
+"Well, they may be weak-hearted; I'm sure I should be, in their place,"
+said La Croissette. "In fact, what is it?--a mere form. They just slur
+over a few words--cross themselves--kiss a relic, or some little matter
+of that sort. No more is required; the bishop lets them off easy."
+
+"Will the Lord let them off easy?" said my father. "Christianity admits
+of no such temporizing. The early Christians might have saved their
+lives by burning a handful of incense before the Roman Emperor's statue;
+but they did not hold it a mere form. And the Romanists admit in
+principle what they dissent from in practice; for they almost deify
+those early martyrs for their constancy to the truth, and yet would
+martyr us for doing the very same thing."
+
+"Well, I don't mean them to martyr me," said La Croissette, "I've an
+elastic creed, I!--it stretches or collapses like an easy stocking."
+
+"Beware, beware, my friend, of fancying a creed like that of any worth
+at all."
+
+"Sir, we all have our weak points and our strong ones. I'm no polemic,
+I!--I prefer meddling with things that will not bring me into trouble.
+There was a factory burnt down last night--"
+
+"Ah!" groaned my father.
+
+"Some say both the partners were burnt; others that one of them is at a
+distance. Some think the factory was set on fire on purpose; others that
+it was an accident. Nothing remains of it but the outer walls and a
+smoking heap of ruins."
+
+My father covered his face with his hand.
+
+"Then, again," pursued La Croissette, "that worthy old Monsieur
+Laccassagne, unable to stand the deprivation of sleep any longer, has
+conformed--"
+
+"Has he, though!" cried my father, with a start. "Oh, how sad a fall!"
+
+"Outwardly, only outwardly," said La Croissette. "The poor old gentleman
+was driven almost out of his senses by that deafening drumming. 'You
+shall have rest now,' said the bishop. 'Alas!' replied he, 'I look for
+no rest on this side heaven; and may God grant that its doors may not be
+closed against me by this act.'"
+
+"Poor old man! poor Monsieur Laccassagne!" ejaculated my father. "Well
+might he say so."
+
+"Yes, but what reasonable person can suppose the doors of heaven will
+be closed against him by it?" said La Croissette. "The Lord is a God of
+mercy--"
+
+"But will by no means clear the guilty," said my father.
+
+"And He looketh not to the outward appearance, but to the heart," said
+La Croissette.
+
+"That expression applies to the personal, bodily appearance, which none
+of us can help," said my father, "not to the pretence of believing one
+thing, when we believe, its opposite. I mourn over the backsliding of
+my old friend. Better had it been to suffer affliction for a season.
+
+"So the virtuous lady his wife thought," said La Croissette. "She
+escaped in the disguise of a servant, and is now wandering in the open
+fields."
+
+"Ah, what sorrow! May the good Lord support her under it!"
+
+"Ay, and the many other women who are in similar case. Numbers of them
+are at this instant cowering in the cold and darkness in ditches and
+under hedges."
+
+"Monsieur Laccassagne might well say he could hope for no rest on this
+side heaven," said my father, bitterly. "How can he rest, knowing that
+his excellent wife, accustomed to every comfort, is now an outcast for
+her faith--the faith which he has denied?"
+
+"Well, I wish I could have brought you more cheerful news," said La
+Croissette, rising. "In truth, you need it, in this dismal hole, to keep
+up your spirits. Tell me, now, good sir, how long do you expect to be
+able, you and yours, to hold out?"
+
+"Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof," said my father. "Thanks be
+to God, He does not require us to dwell on what may be in store for our
+chastening. He says explicitly, 'Take no thought for the morrow--the
+morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.' Words how kind and
+how wise!"
+
+This seemed to strike La Croissette a good deal. He remained in thought
+a few minutes, and then said, "Well, it is time I should take my leave.
+I respect you very much." Then, resuming his bantering tone, "Since
+you are so willing to hazard the disturbance which poor old Monsieur
+Laccassagne found it so hard to bear, I advise you to sleep day and
+night while you are here, and lay in a good stock of repose against
+the time when you will be deprived of it."
+
+Stepping back again, just as he seemed going, he said, "You fancy
+yourselves very safe here; and, indeed, the dragoons unless with a guide
+to you, might possibly take some time to find you out; but depend on it,
+Les Arènes will be well searched some day--perhaps very soon; it is too
+well known as having been an old hiding-place. Every corner--this among
+the rest--is known to outcasts, many of them of bad reputation, who, for
+a morsel of bread, would give up St. Paul or St. Peter. All are not so,
+however, and those I am now among have a kind of the honor which exists
+among thieves. Do not depend too much on it, however."
+
+And with this very unsatisfactory speech, he left us. My father, after
+brooding on what he had said for some time, knelt down, and was long in
+prayer: then he murmured, "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep:
+for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." And I knew soon, by
+his breathing, that he had indeed found rest in sleep. For me, I could
+not close my eyes: the text that dwelt in my mind was, "My soul is
+among lions." I thought of Madame Laccassagne and the other poor
+women wandering in the fields, and pictured a thousand distressing
+circumstances. Our solitary oil-lamp was beginning to languish for want
+of trimming, and I thought, "What if it should leave us in darkness
+altogether, and we should never know when it is day?" and dwelt on the
+Egyptians in the plague of darkness, when none of them rose from his
+place for three days. I was so feverish that it seemed to me a darkness
+like that would madden me--I must dash my head against the wall, or do
+something desperate; and I thought of Jonah in the whale's belly, when
+the waters compassed him round about, and his soul fainted in that
+hideous darkness; and again it was "three days." Then I thought, "Why
+three days?" Was it because the Son of Man was three days in the heart
+of the earth? And shall we remain here in this subterranean darkness
+three days?
+
+Just as the lamp seemed going out my loved mother stole out of the inner
+dungeon, and trimmed it; then noiselessly stole to my side, and, seeing
+my eyes open, smiled on me and kissed me, and then lay down beside my
+father. Oh, the peace, the security of her presence! I sank into
+dreamless sleep.
+
+I was awakened by the most horrid noise I ever heard in my life. It
+seemed like the roar of a lion close to my ear, and I started up in wild
+affright, fancying myself a Christian prisoner about to be thrown to the
+wild beasts. All around was dark as pitch--the lamp had gone out! The
+frightful bellowing continued without intermission; and, besides, there
+were sobs and screams, brutal laughter and cursing. Dreadful moment!
+Presently a spark of light momentarily illumined our cell, and showed
+the anxious face of my mother, as she re-kindled the lamp, surrounded by
+the terrified children and girls, roused from their sleep by the hideous
+uproar.
+
+"Oh, what is it?--what is it?" cried I. My mother's lips moved, but she
+could not make herself heard. Having succeeded in lighting the lamp, she
+came close to me, and said--
+
+"They seem to have put one of the bulls of La Camargue into the
+adjoining den for the next bull-baiting, and to have lashed it to frenzy
+with their goads. The noise is terrific, but I do not suppose the animal
+can break loose."
+
+La Croissette now appeared among us, suffocating with laughter. "Are you
+frightened out of your lives?" said he. "'Tis nothing."
+
+"Nay, sir," said my mother, "'tis something, I think, to be raised up in
+the middle of the night by such a dreadful noise."
+
+"Night? 'tis broad daylight! No wonder you were frightened. I can hardly
+hear myself speak; but I felt impelled to come and see how you took it.
+They have put an enormous bull in the adjoining den; and if you don't
+like his company, you will have to change your quarters, which I advise
+you to do at any rate; for the Basques who have him in charge are brutal
+fellows, whose jargon I don't understand. Ten to one they will discover
+you before the day's out; and then what will you do?"
+
+"Truly, our case is hard," said my mother, looking wistfully at my
+father.
+
+"It is so, my dear wife," replied he; "and I do not see my way clearly.
+Let us ask God to make it a little clearer to us."
+
+La Croissette looked amazed when he saw the whole family kneel down,
+and made a movement to go, but paused at the entrance and looked back
+on us. Though the bellowing still continued, it was neither so loud nor
+so frequent; but still only snatches of my father's voice could be
+heard. But his very look and attitude was a prayer; and there were the
+two sweet sisters, with their clasped hands and bent heads, and the
+little ones crowded about my mother. Now and then such broken sentences
+were heard as--"Lord, thou hast been our refuge from one generation to
+another--Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in
+the light of thy countenance--The dead bodies of thy servants have they
+given to be meat unto the fowls of the air, and the flesh of thy saints
+to the beasts of the land--We are become an open shame to our enemies,
+and a very scorn to them that hate us. Return, O Lord! how long? and let
+it repent thee concerning thy servants--Oh, satisfy us with thy mercy,
+and that soon; so will we rejoice, and give thanks to thee all the days
+of our life--Make thy way plain before us, O Lord, because of our
+enemies."
+
+I could not help furtively watching the workings of La Croissette's
+face as he listened to these words of the Psalmist, so appropriate and
+pathetic. He started as if shot when touched by some one behind; and
+the next instant M. Bourdinave stood among us.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+PERSECUTED, YET NOT FORSAKEN.
+
+
+"My father!" exclaimed the girls, and flew into his arms. The next
+instant the bellowing recommenced.
+
+"What is that?" cried M. Bourdinave, starting.
+
+"One of the bulls intended for baiting," said my father.
+
+"Ah, what a vicinity to find you in?" said M. Bourdinave.
+
+"Better, my dear friend, than the captives of old had in this very
+dungeon. And now, what news? Where have you been?"
+
+"I'd better go; I'm not wanted." muttered La Croissette, heard only by
+me, and then retiring.
+
+"I bring the worst of news," returned M. Bourdinave, sitting down. "The
+Edict of Nantes is revoked."
+
+"Ah!" and a general cry broke from us.
+
+"What signifies it," said my mother, bitterly, "when already its
+provisions have been set at nought? Are we any the better for it?"
+
+"We may be yet worse for losing it," said M. Bourdinave. "Every Reformed
+meeting-house in France is to be demolished; no private assemblages for
+devotional purposes are to be allowed on any pretext whatever. All
+Huguenot schools are to be suppressed; all children born of Huguenot
+parents to be baptized and educated as Catholics; all non-conforming
+ministers to quit the country within fifteen days, on pain of the
+galleys."
+
+"Let us rise, my children," cried my father in great agitation, "and
+leave this country, which is no longer a mother to us, shaking the dust
+off our feet. Alas, what am I saying? Whither can we go?"
+
+"To England," replied M. Bourdinave. "I have already taken measures for
+it."
+
+"Heaven be praised!" cried we simultaneously.
+
+"But it will be under circumstances of great hardship, difficulty, and
+danger."
+
+"Never mind; we willingly encounter them. Yes, yes," said one after
+another.
+
+"Have you the courage, my daughters?" looking earnestly at them.
+
+Madeleine threw herself into his arms.
+
+"I knew what your answer would be," said he, fondly kissing her; "but
+my little Gabrielle--"
+
+"Oh, fear me not, father," cried Gabrielle, hastily. "Anything to get
+out of this horrid place. I believe I have seemed too impatient of it
+to those around me, but that was because inaction is always so trying
+to me."
+
+"My love, you may yet be exposed to it. I have known one of our brethren
+put into a chest, with very few air-holes, and lowered into the hold of
+a merchant-vessel, with considerable roughness, where he was left many
+hours before he could be released."
+
+Gabrielle changed color. "Never mind," said she, in a low voice, and
+pressing her father's hand. "What man has done man may do, though I am
+but a woman who say it."
+
+"That's my brave girl!" fondly kissing her. "Well, my friends, if we
+can but get to Bordeaux, we shall escape; that is provided for. It was
+this which kept me from you so long. And what a return has been mine!
+I got no answers from you to my letters; I heard the persecution here
+was raging with fury; I came to snatch you from it, and found my home
+deserted, the factory burnt, the workmen scattered, no tidings of you
+to be found. At length I got news of you from one of the men, who told
+me of your retreat, and that he, under cover of night, brought you
+bread. We planned how to remove you hence to-night, but it must be in
+detachments. At a place agreed on there will be a small cart that will
+convey the children and perhaps their mother."
+
+"I prefer walking," interposed my mother. "Jacques is unable to do so."
+
+"Impossible! I am sure you have not the strength for it," said we all.
+
+"Never fear," said she, stoutly.
+
+"No, no; it must not be," said I.
+
+"And you, my son?"
+
+"I will undertake for him," said La Croissette, who, it now appeared,
+had been listening behind the doorway all this time.
+
+"Who are you, my man?" said M. Bourdinave, in surprise and some
+distrust.
+
+"An honest fellow, though I say it that shouldn't," was his answer.
+"I am one of those who deal in deeds more than words. I cannot patter
+Ave Marias with a Catholic, nor sing interminable psalms like a
+Huguenot, but neither can I endure the ways the Catholics are taking to
+compel the Huguenots to submission. I take my own way, d'ye see, and am
+fettered by nobody. No one would molest La Croissette the needle-seller,
+not even a dragoon. And I have learnt to esteem you all; I admire the
+young ladies, and respect the old lady and gentleman. Therefore, there's
+my hand; you may take it or not. 'Tis not over soft; but there's no
+blood on it, and it never took a bribe. Let those say so who can.
+And what I say next is this: Dr. Jameray has fallen sick, and I've
+undertaken to drive his little wagon, with the sign of the bleeding
+tooth, from hence to Montauban. As far as that I'll give my young friend
+here a cast, and he may thence easily take boat down the Garonne to
+Bordeaux. At least, if he cannot of himself, I'll manage it for him."
+
+How grateful we were to the worthy La Croissette! Not one of us
+distrusted him in the least; at any rate, if M. Bourdinave did so at
+first, he was soon reassured by us, and took the honest fellow heartily
+by the hand. A good deal more was now said than I have space to recount
+or memory to recall. Indeed, my head was in a confused state, and I was
+conscious of little but of the tender pressure of dear Madeleine's hand,
+from whom I must so soon part.
+
+We were to start as soon as night afforded us its friendly cover; but
+some hours of daylight remained. My father and M. Bourdinave had many
+business affairs to discuss, and Madeleine kept the children quiet,
+that they might not interrupt them. I never thought Gabrielle so pretty
+as now that she had spoken with resolution, and seemed strengthening
+herself to keep up to it. Nevertheless, we have no real strength
+of our own; it all comes from God; but He gives it to all who ask it
+faithfully. Madeleine whispered to me, "Let us pray that strength for
+her duty may be given her." I nodded and smiled.
+
+Meanwhile my mother went out to the appointed place where, it seems,
+Raoul had daily placed a loaf. We, who were not in the secret, had much
+wondered where our bread came from, and how it lasted out. This time she
+returned with a large sausage as well; so we ate our meal with gladness
+and thankfulness of heart, La Croissette insisting on passing round his
+bottle, which, somehow, he always kept well filled. And had this man had
+a mind to betray us, how easily he might have done so! He overheard our
+plans, might have drugged our wine, and stretched us all powerless;
+might have told his comrades to make sport of us, and kept out of sight
+himself; or might openly have led the dragoons to our hiding-place with
+torches and weapons. Our blessed Lord had more reason, humanly speaking,
+to trust Judas, than we to trust La Croissette; but you see this man was
+honest; you could not have tempted him to sell us for thirty pieces of
+silver.
+
+When he went forth, though, after supper, my mind misgave me for a
+while, thinking, "What if he be gone to betray us?" I wronged his worthy
+heart. So many people are worse than we think them, that it is a comfort
+when some prove better than we think them. Worthy La Croissette! I have
+thy tall, meagre form and lantern jaws now before me. Many a showy
+professor might be bettered by having as true a heart.
+
+When he was gone, my father said, "Let us join once more in family
+worship, and then get a little sleep before our night-journey begins."
+
+I think he and M. Bourdinave and the children actually did sleep, but
+not my mother or the girls. I certainly did not. My mother dressed and
+bandaged my wounded feet for the last time. They were healing, but too
+tender for walking or standing without injury to the newly-formed skin.
+Then she sat beside me, with looks of love, and was presently joined
+by Madeleine. We knew so well what was passing in each other's minds,
+that we did not need to say much. Then my father awoke, with all his
+faculties about him, looked at his watch, and said it was time to start.
+M. Bourdinave went out, and after what seemed to our impatience rather a
+long time, returned, and said Raoul reported unusual disturbance in the
+city, but that now all was ready. We took leave of one another, agreed
+on places of rendezvous (if we were ever enabled to reach them), and had
+a valedictory prayer. Still they did not like to go and leave me without
+La Croissette. At length he appeared, and, addressing my father, said:
+
+"You had better avoid the precincts of your famous temple, La Calade: it
+has been completely demolished, and crowds are yet hanging about their
+beloved place of worship, regardless of danger, but the military will
+presently disperse them."
+
+"Ah, what desecration!" exclaimed my mother.
+
+"Keep your regrets for the sufferings of living people, my good lady,"
+said La Croissette. "Stones have no feeling, and are not prone to
+revenge insult. 'Tis said, walls have ears. The walls of La Calade have,
+at all events, a tongue; for on the summit of the ruins lies a stone
+with these words on it, 'Lo, this is the house of God; this is the gate
+of heaven!'"
+
+Then addressing my father, he said. "The very fact of the public
+attention being drawn to this point makes other parts of the city
+comparatively deserted, and therefore favors your escape. Lose no time,
+I advise you, in availing yourselves of it."
+
+We exchanged our last embraces in tears, and they went forth, he
+following them. I felt inexpressibly lonely and sad.
+
+Just as I was beginning to get uneasy at his absence, and to think,
+"What if he should never come back?" he returned.
+
+"They are safely off now," said he, "and little know what peril they
+have been in here. Another twelve hours, and they would all have been
+taken. Now, then, let us bestir ourselves, young man. They call you
+Jacques; but I shall call you Jean, after my younger brother."
+
+Helped on by him, I hobbled along, though in pain. How chill, but how
+fresh and pleasant, felt the open air! It seemed the breath of life to
+me, and revived me like a potent medicine. There was a distant, sullen
+murmur in the city, but around us all was still. Above us were bright
+stars, but no moon.
+
+At length we got among low dwellings, some of which had twinkling
+lights. We entered a dark, narrow passage, smelling powerfully of fried
+fish and onions. Some one from above said cautiously, "Who goes there?"
+
+"La Croissette."
+
+"Who else?"
+
+"My brother Jean."
+
+"Advance, brothers La Croissette."
+
+We ascended a mean staircase and entered a room where we found a man and
+woman standing beside a large basket.
+
+"Now get you into this," said La Croissette to me, "and we will lower
+you from the window. Stay, I will go first; it will give you
+confidence."
+
+Twisting his long frame into the basket, he clasped his arms round his
+knees, and the others began to raise him by well-secured pulleys. The
+woman grew quite red in the face with the exertion of getting him over
+the window-ledge, and I own I trembled for him.
+
+"All is right, he is safely down," said she, at length, and helped to
+pull up the basket. "Now, young man; you're not afraid?"
+
+"Oh no; only don't let me down too fast."
+
+"That must depend on how heavy you are. We can't keep dangling you
+between sky and earth all night. Come; you are not nearly as heavy as
+your brother. Adieu, mon cher; bon voyage!"
+
+"Adieu, madame; mille remerciments."
+
+I thought of St. Paul in the basket, and the two Israelitish spies.
+La Croissette eased my descent a good deal, by steadying the basket,
+and helped me out of it to our mutual satisfaction. It was then swiftly
+drawn up, and taken in.
+
+"Thank heaven, we are safe!" said I. "That was very cleverly managed."
+
+"Do you suppose it the first time?" said La Croissette. "Far from it, I
+can tell you. Many things are done in Nismes that the authorities know
+nothing of, for all their vigilance. Now we are fairly outside the city,
+and, with ordinary good luck, shall perform our night-journey in safety."
+
+"With God's blessing we may," said I.
+
+"Make that proviso with all my heart," said La Croissette. "some trust
+in Providence and some in luck. I have nothing to say against either.
+Now get into the cart."
+
+He led the horse a little out of the shadow as he spoke, and helped me
+inside the little house on wheels, where I found a mattress that proved
+a most acceptable rest; and then we drove slowly and quietly off, and
+gradually got among fields and hedges.
+
+"How are you getting on?" said La Croissette, at length. "Do you mind
+the shaking?"
+
+"Oh," said I, "I have so many things on my mind that I take no thought
+for the body."
+
+"All the better; though some say that pain of the mind is the worst to
+bear of the two."
+
+"I have little doubt of it," said I, "though each are bad enough. But
+all I meant was that my mind is preoccupied and anxious, and prevents
+my noticing any mere discomforts; for I cannot say I am miserable."
+
+"Indeed I think you ought not to be, for you have had an escape from
+that troubled city that many would rejoice at."
+
+"Tell me truly; do you think I have actually escaped?"
+
+"What know I? You have escaped from the evils behind; you may not
+escape from the evils before. Yesterday was cloudy, to-morrow may be
+rainy, the day after may be fine; none of us knows. At least there is a
+weather-prophet at Arles whom some of the fools believe in; but he broke
+his leg a little while ago, and his spirit of prophecy did not enable
+him to foresee that, therefore I doubt his knowing about the weather."
+
+"There have always been those who dealt in lying signs and wonders,"
+said I, "from the days of Moses, when the magicians feigned to change
+their rods into serpents, which of course they could not do really."
+
+"They were clever at sleight-of-hand, I suppose," said La Croissette.
+"So is Doctor Jameray. He can do many wonderful things. I can do some
+of them myself. You see, some of his conjuring tricks require a second
+person, who must not be known for his assistant; so that when he sets
+out on his tours through the provinces, I generally do the same, and
+contrive to cross his path, as if by accident. Then we play off on a
+new set of people the tricks we have played twenty times before in
+other places."
+
+"Then needle-selling is only a blind?" said I.
+
+"I turn a little money by it; the more, that I am careful always to sell
+the best needles and pins. Thus I have acquired a name--the housewives
+trust me; I have a character to support. And my character supports me."
+
+"A good character always does so in the long run," said I.
+
+"Well, I don't know what to say about that. You are too young to have
+any authority of weight. It must be your father's wisdom, and I am not
+sure it will stand the test."
+
+"I feel sure of it," said I.
+
+'What, when you are this very moment a houseless wanderer, without
+having done any wrong? How does your good character support you now?"
+
+"For example, it has secured me your good offices," said I. "You would
+not have given me this good turn if I had been a worthless villain."
+
+"Well, perhaps not; supposing I had known you for such--though worthless
+villains often escape deserved punishment, and sometimes are very
+plausible, and pay very well. And sometimes not"--reflectively.
+
+"You seem to remember a case in point," said I, smiling.
+
+"Well, I do," said La Croissette. "There was a young lord who led a sad
+course, and nearly fell into the hands of justice. He had a dashing,
+off-hand manner, that made friends till he was found out for what he
+was; and partly because he talked me over, and partly for high pay,
+I smuggled him beyond the reach of his enemies. But the pay never came.
+He won't get me to help him another time."
+
+"He'll miss the want of a good character in the long run, then," said I.
+
+"Oh, he has done so already; he lies in prison now. But so do many of
+you Huguenots, who have done nothing amiss. It seems to me there is one
+event to the good and to the wicked."
+
+"Oh no, do not believe it," said I. "In the first place, none of us
+are righteous; no, not one; our merits only comparative. Thus, there is
+something in every one of us to punish; and sometimes the Lord sees fit
+to chasten His best-loved servants so severely, that it is difficult to
+distinguish their chastisement from His judgments on the wicked."
+
+"That comes to what I was saying," said La Croissette; "that there is
+but one event to the good and to the bad."
+
+"It seems so, though it is not so," said I. "But don't you perceive in
+this a grand argument in favor of a future life?"
+
+"I am no scholar, I;--you must explain it to me," said La Croissette.
+
+"If the Lord lets his dear children fall into the same afflictions here
+as the rebellious and impenitent, it is because He knows that in the
+long run, it will be to their advantage rather than otherwise: that they
+will turn their trials to such good account as actually to be the better
+for them; and that their light affliction, which is but for a moment,
+will work for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
+So that hereafter they shall look back on their present pains, not only
+with indifference but with thankfulness. But ah! where shall then the
+unrighteous and sinner appear?"
+
+"You seem to have a natural gift for preaching," said La Croissette,
+after a pause. "Where will they appear, say you? Why, if our priests
+are to be believed, those of them, even the very worst, who have money
+enough to pay for masses and indulgences, may buy themselves off from
+purgatory, and shine in glory with the best."
+
+"Does not that carry incredibility and absurdity on the very face of
+it?"
+
+"It seems very hard on the poor man who can't buy himself off," said La
+Croissette. "You Huguenots, then, don't believe in it?"
+
+"Most assuredly not. God accepts no prayers that do not spring from a
+lowly and contrite heart: and they may be offered by a poor man as well
+as a rich one."
+
+"But does not a poor man's soul require those purgatorial fires?"
+
+"Oh no, my dear La Croissette! The Son of God told of no purgatory--only
+of heaven and hell. And He was so truthful that He would not have told
+of a hell if there had not been one--nor have failed to tell of a
+purgatory if there had been one. The end would not have been
+commensurate with the means, had He laid down his life to save us from
+anything short of condign punishment, or to save us only incompletely.
+If there were a purgatory to endure at any rate, where would be the
+all-sufficiency of his sacrifice once offered?"
+
+He bade us believe in him and be saved. He did not say, 'believe also in
+my mother, and my brethren, and my apostles, and ask them to ask me to
+save you.' He said, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
+and I will give you rest.'"
+
+"No! did he, though?" said La Croissette, suddenly checking his horse.
+
+At the same moment, a woman sprang from the hedge and laid her hand on
+the shaft, saying:
+
+"Good sir, save us! we perish!"
+
+"What is the matter?" said he, starting.
+
+"We are fugitives from Nismes; we were beaten, we were burnt, we were
+pillaged."
+
+"My poor good woman, there are numbers in like case."
+
+"But we starve," said she, bursting into tears. "My aged mother and my
+little ones."
+
+"I am very sorry for you, but I am a poor man myself--here, take this
+trifle."
+
+"Alas, we cannot eat money!" in a tone of such mournful reproach.
+
+"No, true; it will buy a little bread--but there are no shops. Jean," in
+a lower voice to me, "I've a loaf in the cart, shall we part with it?"
+
+"Give it to her by all means," said I.
+
+Before he did so, he said to her, "True, you cannot eat money, but money
+will buy you bread in Nismes. Why not return there? The authorities are
+welcoming all that conform."
+
+"Death rather than that!" said she, clasping her hands to her heart, and
+turning away.
+
+"Stay, stay. Here is bread for you. It is all we have."
+
+"Ah! bless--." She could say no more, but sobbed bitterly. La Croissette
+turned his face away.
+
+"There are many of us, many!" sobbed she. "We shall so bless you. We
+will pray for you."
+
+"Do so; do," said he, affecting composure, and whipping on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED.
+
+
+The moon had now risen, and shone full on our road, which was completely
+exposed; but happily we met with no hindrance. The motion of the cart
+now made me very drowsy, and I fell into deep dreamless sleep. When I
+woke, feeling stiff and chilled, I wondered where I was. The cart had
+stopped, I was alone, the gray light of morning was forcing its way
+through the chinks of my little lodging-house, but the door was locked.
+I thought my position a curious one, and wondered whether La Croissette
+was going to give me up after all, to my enemies, but could not readily
+distrust a fellow apparently so kind-hearted. I lay still and listened
+to the sounds about me; the clucking of hens, gobbling of turkeys,
+stamping of horses, and lowing of calves, told me I was in a farm-yard.
+Then I heard voices, including that of La Croissette, and presently a
+sharp cry and then a laugh. By-and-by, the key turned in the lock and
+he looked in on me.
+
+"So ho, you are awake after a famous long nap," said he. "Do you want
+your breakfast?"
+
+"If I do, want must be my master," said I, returning his smile. "We gave
+away our only loaf."
+
+"But what if I have earned another, and a good bowl of milk?" rejoined
+La Croissette, producing both as he spoke. "There, sit up and eat your
+fill; I've had my share in the house."
+
+"Where are we?" said I, readily obeying his instructions.
+
+"At a wayside farm-house, where the honest people have given my horse
+a good feed, and you and me a good breakfast."
+
+"How did you earn it, then?"
+
+"By pulling out a tooth for a great lubberly boy, whose cheek had
+swollen enormously with toothache. Did you not hear him cry out? You
+might almost have heard him from here to Nismes."
+
+"Yes, I heard him cry and then laugh."
+
+"Because he was so glad to have got rid of it."
+
+"Can you draw teeth, then?"
+
+"I never drew one before, but I went at it as if it was a regular thing
+with me."
+
+"How could you venture?"
+
+"Psha! it is good to show confidence; and every one must have a
+beginning. Which of us would let a doctor try his hand on us, if we knew
+it was for the first time?"
+
+I smiled and shook my head at him, but said no more. When I had
+swallowed the delicious milk, he said,
+
+"Now I will return the bowl, and bring out my horse. I told them I had a
+sick brother in the cart, recovering from a burning fever, or you would
+have had some visitors. To make doubly sure, I locked you up."
+
+"Would not that have been enough without the other?" I said, grieved at
+his want of truth.
+
+"No, I think not, and I'm not as particular as you are."
+
+Presently we were driving off again, and for a mile or so in silence.
+Then La Croissette, looking back at me, said,
+
+"There are certainly good people on both sides. That poor wretch to
+whom we gave the loaf was undoubtedly a good Huguenot; she would rather
+starve and die than abjure her faith. But here, again, are a family of
+Catholics, who are good, too, and believed every word I said, and
+liberally supplied my wants."
+
+"Doubtless there are good people on both sides," said I; "and if the
+Catholics would believe it of us, we might yet live in peace and
+quietness together. We have not harmed them--it is they who harm us."
+
+"For your good, they will tell you."
+
+"They may tell us, but we cannot believe it. Their compulsions are not
+in the spirit of love."
+
+La Croissette softly whistled, and presently talked of other things.
+By-and-by he said,
+
+"Now we are coming to a town, and you shall see some fun."
+
+"Will it be quite safe?"
+
+"Safer than anything else. It is a fair-day; I shall drive straight
+into the market-place, blow my horn, and play the quack doctor. Nay,
+you shall be my accomplice and blow the horn. Let me put you in costume
+at once."
+
+Saying which, he fished out a soiled scarlet cloak, gaily spangled,
+which he threw over my shoulders, produced a half-mask with an enormous
+red nose, with which he concealed the upper part of my face, covered my
+head with a Spanish hat and feather, and gave me a horn.
+
+"Now blow as much as you like," said he; "be as brazen as your trumpet."
+
+I laughed, and entered into the joke; no one would suspect me for a
+Huguenot.
+
+La Croissette then disguised himself in Dr. Jameray's long black gown,
+and added a pair of green spectacles, which certainly heightened the
+effect. Having driven into the market-place, he placed a little table
+before him and spread it with boxes and phials, I blowing the horn from
+time to time in a way which he called quite original, and which speedily
+drew people about us. Then, with wonderful self-possession, he harangued
+them on the merits of his medicines. For instance, taking up a phial
+which contained a pink-colored fluid, he descanted on its virtues in
+this style:
+
+"My friends, this small bottle contains a famous specific, for those who
+know how to use it prudently. When I say prudently, I mean that there
+are certain things it will do and others it will not. This remedy is for
+increasing the strength, improving the appetite, and clearing the head.
+Will it, therefore, set a broken arm or draw a tooth? Most certainly
+not. I can draw a tooth for you, if you like it (by-the-by, some think
+I have a gift that way, but self-praise is no recommendation); I can
+draw a tooth, I say, no matter with how many fangs; but this medicine
+cannot. Does it follow, then, that it will cure a cough or sore throat?
+Not at all. Here, if you like (taking up another bottle) is something
+that will, but what is that to the purpose? Will it cure sore eyes? No;
+or sprains? Far from it. No, no, my most excellent ladies and gentlemen,
+let us not form unreasonable expectations; day is not night; summer is
+not winter; nor is a horse-medicine a febrifuge. It is useless to assert
+such trash to sensible, well-informed people, Here is an opportunity,
+such as most of you may possibly never have again, of buying a most
+delightful and effectual medicine, sweet, not nauseous (strongly
+reminding one of cherry-brandy), gently exhilarating, and very difficult
+to be procured; indeed, I have only three small doses of it--three, did
+I say? I'm afraid I have only two--let me see--Oh, yes, here are three;
+and the price is merely nominal--"
+
+The extreme frankness and moderation of this harangue of course met with
+great success; and purchasers speedily bought, not only his three pink
+bottles, but his green ones, his blue ones, his pills, his pomades, and
+his perfumed medicinal soaps that were to soften the skin, strengthen
+the joints, and promote longevity. After this, he sang a comic song of
+innumerable verses (with horn obligato) and delivered a discourse, in
+which he said there had never been more than three great men in the
+world, Louis the Fourteenth, Alexander the Great, and Hippocrates, the
+father of physic.
+
+It was surprising to me how he carried on this game hour after hour,
+apparently without fatigue, and always to the delight of his audience,
+new-comers continually pressing around him, and old ones lingering in
+the distance with broad smiles on their faces. A little of it was well
+enough, but I thought that to be always at it must be harder work than
+the hardest handywork trade I knew. At last the day closed in, the
+people departed, we supplied ourselves with food, and departed like
+the rest.
+
+"Now, then, have I not come off with flying colors?" said La Croissette,
+complacently.
+
+"Assuredly you have: but you must be very tired."
+
+"Tired as can be--you know I had no sleep last night--we are coming to
+a little thicket where we will roost for the night."
+
+We had scarcely drawn up under the trees, which were thinning of leaves,
+when we heard a distant hollow sound gradually growing louder as it
+approached. "The dragoons," said La Croissette, in a low voice. "I trust
+we shall escape their notice."
+
+They passed by like a whirlwind, taking the direction we had just left,
+and we congratulated ourselves on having quitted their path.
+
+"These wretches, look you," said La Croissette, "know neither mercy
+nor justice; they know they are let loose on the country to do all the
+mischief they can, and if they find a Paradise, they leave it a howling
+wilderness."
+
+Of this we had proof next day, when we came on their track, and found
+wretched women and children in tears and lamentations impossible for us
+to assuage: men that had been cudgelled within an inch of their lives,
+or hung up by their wrists or their heels till they swooned, lying on
+the ground uncared for and dying. Ah, what wickedness! and all under
+pretence of doing God service! I cannot dwell on the terrible scenes we
+saw in crossing the country. Sometimes La Croissette did some trifling
+act of kindness, but the evils demanded more potent remedies.
+
+"This unfits me for my calling," said he, one day, as he scrambled into
+the cart and drove off. "How can one play the merry-andrew under such
+circumstances? What will become of these poor creatures as winter comes
+on, even if they can last till then? It is impossible they should all
+escape from the country--they will have to conform after all, and had
+they not better do so now?"
+
+I replied, "It is written, 'Fear not, little flock; for it is the
+Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'"
+
+"The kingdom of France?"
+
+"No, the kingdom of heaven."
+
+"To whom were the words spoken?"
+
+"To the early Christians, whose praise is in all the churches--whom the
+Catholics not only reverence but worship."
+
+"Hum. Well, if they weathered such persecution as this, perhaps these
+may; but I could not stand it, I!--Do you know (with great awe) there
+are dungeons called Hippocrates' Sleeves, the walls of which slope like
+the inside of a funnel tapering to a point, so that those who are put
+inside them can neither lie, sit, nor stand? They are let down into them
+with cords, and drawn up every day to be whipped."
+
+"And have any come forth alive from such places?"
+
+"I grant you; but sometimes without teeth or hair."
+
+"O, what glorious faith, to survive such a test!" exclaimed I.
+
+"But some don't survive."
+
+"O, what hallelujahs their freed spirits must sing as they find
+themselves suddenly released and soaring upward with myriads of
+rejoicing angels, to receive their welcome at the throne of God!"
+
+"Jean, I never knew anything like you!" said La Croissette. "The worse
+the stories I tell you, the greater the triumph and exultation you cap
+them with."
+
+I answered, "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of
+their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev.
+xii. II.
+
+"Do you think you could bear being put into a Hippocrates' Sleeve?"
+
+"I am not called on to think what I could bear: only to bear what is put
+on me."
+
+"Your father, every word! As the old cock crows, so does the young one.
+But after all, 'tis a fearful thing to lie at the mercy of those that
+can devise and carry out such tortures."
+
+"It is written, 'I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that
+kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do; but I will
+forewarn you whom ye shall fear. Fear Him which after He hath killed,
+hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear Him.'"
+
+"You seem to have all the texts on this particular head at the tips of
+your fingers. Did you learn them for this particular purpose?"
+
+"My dear mother used to repeat to me a text every night, and expect me
+to repeat it to her the next day."
+
+"An excellent plan," said La Croissette, whipping his horse. And he
+hummed a tune.
+
+When we reached Montauban, he said,
+
+"I must now begin my old tricks, to earn a little money;" and he drew
+up in the market-place. But the people had been as heavily visited as
+at Nismes, and were in no mood for jesting. When he began to vend his
+nostrums, an old man of severe aspect held up his hand, and said:
+
+"Peace, unfeeling man--you bring your senseless ribaldry to the wrong
+market. Here are only lamentations, and mourning, and woe."
+
+"My good sir, one must live," said La Croisette.
+
+"And how? tell me that!" retorted the old man, indignantly. "They that
+fed delicately are desolate in the streets; they that were clad in
+scarlet are cast on dunghills; the tongue of the suckling child cleaves
+to the roof of its mouth for thirst; the young children ask for bread,
+and no man giveth unto them."
+
+Then, with a wail that was almost like a howl, he tore his hair and
+cried, "For this, for this mine eyes run down with water and mine
+eyelids take no rest. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?"
+
+"Jean, I cannot stand this," said La Croissette, as the old man hurried
+away. "All the people seem with broken hearts--it takes all spirit out
+of me. I cannot even hawk needles and pins among the starving--who would
+buy?"
+
+I could only say, "How dreadful is this place! The Lord seems to have
+forsaken his sanctuary."
+
+"Let us seek another place as soon as we can--"
+
+"You forget: I am to be met here by an agent of my father's at La Boule
+d'Or."
+
+"Ah, well, we will go thither."
+
+When we drove into the inn-yard, however, we could hear unruly voices in
+the house, and feared we might fall into bad company. A man immediately
+came up to us, and said to me, in a low voice:
+
+"Are you M. Jacques Bonneval?"
+
+"I am. Are you Antoine Leroux?"
+
+"Hist!--yes. There are ill-disposed people in the inn; you had better
+not go in-doors. Can you walk a little way?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Come with me, then."
+
+"I must bid my companion farewell." Turning to La Croissette, I took his
+hand in both mine, and pressed it fervently, saying:
+
+"My dear La Croissette, adieu. May God bless you in this world and the
+next. I wish I could make some return for your exceeding kindness, but,
+unfortunately, can give you nothing but my prayers."
+
+"Pray say nothing of it," said he, cordially. "Your prayers are the very
+thing I should like to have, for, unfortunately, I am not good at them
+myself. As I pass a Calvary by the roadside I pull off my hat, in token
+of respect, you know, for what it represents; and had I had a bringing
+up like yours I might have had as pretty a turn for psalmody; but as the
+matter stands, why, you will be Jacques Bonneval, and I Bartholomé La
+Croissette to the end of the chapter. As for what I have done for you,
+why, it's nothing! I was coming this way, at any rate, and I've given
+you a lift; that's all."
+
+"You may make light of it, if you will," said I, "but I know you have
+continually run risks for me; and depend on it, I shall never forget
+you. Adieu, my friend."
+
+"Farewell, then," said he, "and take my best wishes with you. I hope you
+will now slip safely out of the country, but a good piece of it remains
+before you yet. Nor are your feet in good condition for walking."
+
+"That has been provided for," said Antoine. "As soon as we get to the
+waterside we shall find a boat awaiting us, which will carry us to
+Bordeaux."
+
+"But you are some way from the water.'
+
+"Yes, but I have a cart."
+
+We then parted, La Croissette kissing me on both cheeks with the utmost
+kindness; and I turned away with Antoine. Looking round as we quitted
+the court, I had my last glimpse of his tall, meagre figure, as he stood
+with his hand on his hip, looking after me; and I thought how strange
+and disproportionate a return his kindness to me had been for mine to
+him, in lifting him up and saving him from a kicking horse on the way
+to Beaucaire. The whole scene at once started up before me--our family
+party in the wagon--the girls' blooming faces and gay dresses--the
+crowded road--the music--the bustle. Then my thoughts flew on to what
+followed--the humors of the fair--the crowded table at my uncle's--my
+betrothal to Madeleine. What a different future then seemed to lie
+before us to what awaited us now! Where was she? Should we meet soon?
+Might we not be separated for ever? I cannot tell how many thoughts like
+these passed through my mind as I limped after Antoine, who was himself
+somewhat awkward in his gait, like many of the silk-weavers from sitting
+so constantly at the loom.
+
+Thus we passed through some of the by-ways of Montauban, and entered a
+small house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+"MY NATIVE LAND, GOOD-NIGHT"
+
+
+The room we entered was destitute of furniture and blackened with smoke.
+Heaps of broken fragments impeded our entrance and lay on the floor.
+A man sitting on the ground was restlessly taking up one piece after
+another, and laying them down again, muttering to himself, without
+noticing us.
+
+"I know not why they should have done so," he said hurriedly; "the poor
+chairs and tables could not hurt. And, after all, when they hung me up
+I gave in, and kissed the cross made by their swords; and they knocked
+me about after that. If that was justice, I don't know what justice is.
+They hurt my wife, too, or she would not have shrieked out so. And her
+word always had been--'Hold out; pain may be borne; and they dare not
+kill us!' But when she saw them tie me up, she cried out, 'Oh, Pierre,
+Pierre, give in--give in!' So what was I to do? Answer me that."
+
+"This poor fellow has lost his senses," said Antoine, softly. "Wait here
+a minute. I will soon return."
+
+I stood where I was. It seemed to me from the charred remains that the
+furniture had been just broken up and then partially burnt. There was
+a great beam across the ceiling, with large iron hooks on which to hang
+bacon, onions, and such-like. From one of these hooks dangled a strong
+chain.
+
+"They drew me up with that," said he, turning his dull eyes on me, and
+the next instant looking away. "They passed the chain under one of my
+armpits, and so suspended me; and then beat me. I was not going to stand
+that, you know. My wife ran away, calling on me to give in; so what
+could I do? Could I help it? Am I a renegade?"
+
+I said, "Let us remember David's words--'Have mercy on me, O Lord, for
+my sin is great.' He did not say, 'for my sin is little--a very little
+one--the first I ever sinned;' but 'my sin is great;' and therefore have
+mercy on me. Say it after me. 'Have mercy on me, for my sin is great.'"
+
+--"For my sin is great," repeated he, melting into tears. And again and
+again he repeated, weeping, "For my sin is great--my sin is great. Have
+mercy on me, O Lord, for my sin is great."
+
+"He also hath forgiven the wickedness of thy sin," said I. "Let us turn
+unto the Lord, for he will heal us, and not be angry with us for ever."
+
+Antoine drew me away. We left the poor man in tears, and went into the
+yard, where stood a cart, with a sorry horse in it, and a heap of loose
+fagots and pieces of broken furniture beside it.
+
+"Get you in here, sir, and lie down," said he. "I will pile the wood
+over you as lightly as I can."
+
+I did as he desired. He bestowed the wood over me as carefully as he
+could, and then led the horse out.
+
+"Whither away?" said somebody, passing.
+
+"To dispose of this rubbish," said he, carelessly. "Poor Pierre's
+chattels have been reduced to mere firewood. If a trifle can be got
+for them, it may buy him bread."
+
+I thought of the two messengers to King David, whom a woman concealed
+in a well at Bahurim, spreading a covering over the well's mouth, and
+spreading ground corn thereon. I was startled when the man said,
+
+"I have a mind to buy it of you: it will do to heat my oven."
+
+"But this load is engaged already," said Antoine.
+
+"Why did you not say so at first? You said you were going to see if you
+could get a trifle for it."
+
+"I confess I expressed myself badly. My poor brother's sad state has
+bewildered me. Go you, and look in on him, and see what a pitiable
+object he is."
+
+"Well, I think I will. What is the value of this load, as it stands?"
+
+Antoine seemed so disposed to haggle for it that I confess I quaked;
+however, he set such a high value on it that the other demurred.
+
+Happily we got out of the town without further molestation. I was very
+much cramped, but that was no matter. The church-bells began to ring;
+and Antoine said, in a low voice, "How pitiable are the poor people who
+are now going to vespers on compulsion! Where will all this end? Can it
+be that he who now goeth forth weeping, and bearing good seed, shall
+return again in joy, bringing his sheaves with him?"
+
+I said, "The Lord's hand is not straitened, that he cannot save. What
+is impossible with man is possible with God."
+
+"Oh that we may live to see it, sir."
+
+We came up with a wagon, with the driver of which Antoine fell into
+conversation for some time, but what they said I could not well hear.
+At length we reached the water-side, at a landing-place where a boat
+laden with kitchen stuff was awaiting us. Here Antoine saw me safely
+placed in charge of the boatman, who bade me never fear, for he would
+safely carry me to Bordeaux. We pushed off: the moon shone cold and
+bright; the air on the river felt fresh and chill. The boatman threw a
+warm covering on me, bade me sleep, and began a monotonous boat-song.
+I soon slept.
+
+When I awoke it was late in the morning, for the bright October sun
+overhead was making the rapid Garonne quiver in a sheen of golden light.
+I found we had made good progress, and were not many hours from our
+destination. I found it inexpressibly pleasant to float down that
+bright river, as it carried me to new scenes, which love, hope, and
+inexperience painted in pleasing colors. My feet were sufficiently
+painful for me to be glad to lie idly among the piles of cabbages and
+while the time in day-dreams. Aged confessors might go forth sighing,
+"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" but to the young
+and buoyant, change of occupation and foreign travel have great
+allurement, even when rudely come by.
+
+The boatman seemed an honest poor fellow. Sometimes he exchanged
+greetings and jokes with other boatmen; sometimes he sang snatches
+of plaintive songs, such as
+
+  "N'erount très frères
+  N'erount très frères
+    N'haut qu'une soeur à marida:"
+
+
+for his mother was from Languedoc. At other times he talked to me
+quietly.
+
+"Yours seems a contented, merry life, said I.
+
+"Well, I make it so," said he. "Where is the good of picking up
+troubles? they come sure enough. Once I was foolish enough to think
+'What a poor lot is this, to be pulling a market-boat up and down
+stream, with greens for the seafaring men, while others go riding on
+horseback or in carriages, wear fine clothes, feast every day, and go to
+theatres at night.' But when the dragoons came I was thankful to be what
+I was. Did you hear what happened to Collette at our place? Collette was
+the prettiest girl of our village, and a good girl, but a thought too
+vain. Perhaps it is too much to expect a woman not to be vain when she
+is pretty, but all are not. Collette's skin was like lilies and roses.
+When the dragoons were let loose on us they burnt her father's
+furniture, and beat him within an inch of his life. They asked Collette
+if she would go to mass: she said, 'I will not.' They pulled her hair,
+beat her, pinched her, but she only said the more, 'I will not.' Then a
+dragoon said, 'This girl is too pert, her conceit must be lowered a
+little.' And he took a comb off her toilette, and drew it down her face
+two or three times, quite hard, till it was scratched and scored all
+over. Conceive how the poor thing was cut up! She burst into tears, and
+said, 'Take me to a convent; I don't care where I go now, so that I am
+not seen. I shall never be worth looking at again.'"
+
+"But what an unworthy motive for an unworthy act!" cried I.
+
+"But only think how she was goaded to it!" said he. "Women think so much
+of their looks. I am told the dragoons have tried that trick with many
+ladies of quality."
+
+"If they deserved the name of men they would be ashamed of it."
+
+"Well, I think so too; but see how they treat the men! Have you seen
+a chain of galley-slaves on their way to Marseilles? Certainly no
+treatment can be too bad for the infamous, but that nobles and gentlemen
+should be fettered along with felons, forgers, murderers, and
+such-like--ah, 'tis too bad!"[1]...
+
+[Footnote 1: See "Autobiography of a French Protestant." Religious
+Tract Society. A thrilling narrative, of which the Quarterly Review
+says:--"The facts are more interesting than fiction, and the incidents
+not less strange."]
+
+"But now we come to Bordeaux," said he, at length; and in fact, the
+increase of traffic on the water was sufficient of itself to tell us
+that we were approaching an important commercial city, while in the
+distance were seen the masts of ships of many nations. Nearer at hand
+the richly-wooded heights were studded with the country seats of opulent
+merchants, many of whom either were Huguenots or had made their fortunes
+by Huguenots. It was to be supposed, therefore, that we had many friends
+here; and, indeed, many were favoring our escape as much as they could
+without compromising themselves; but such jealous watch was being kept
+on the port that this was extremely difficult. Soon my companion ran his
+boat in between two others similarly laden--as far as vegetables when,
+that is, for I know not they held any fugitives; and a great war of
+words ensued, in which it was difficult to know whether they were really
+quarrelling or not.
+
+At length I got ashore, and found my way to the counting-house of my
+father's correspondent, Monsieur Bort. He was a very business-looking
+man, with a short, hard, dry way of speaking. I found him immersed in
+his books. Directly he saw me, he said, abruptly.
+
+"You are young Bonneval. You come too late. The others are gone."
+
+"Oh" And I dropped into a seat, quite stunned by this reverse.
+
+"Mais que voulez-vous?" said he. "They could not wait. The opportunity
+would have been lost."
+
+"Are they really off, and safe?"
+
+"Off they are, but whether safe--." He shrugged his shoulders and raised
+his eyebrows. However, seeing my chagrin, he added, "I imagine they are
+in the river Thames by this time."
+
+"Do you mean they are ascending the river to London?"
+
+"Precisely. It may not be so, but we may hope the best. And
+you?"--eyeing me inquiringly.
+
+"What am I to do, sir? Did my father leave me no word of direction?"
+
+"He left you his blessing, and bade you be a good boy, and submit
+yourself to my direction."
+
+"That I will gladly do, if you will direct me."
+
+"Well, I am pledged to do the best I can for you. But, unhappily, the
+surveillance is now so strict that I know not how to smuggle you on
+board."
+
+"In a box--in a cask," said I, desperately.
+
+"Have you really courage to be packed in that manner?"
+
+"Yes, if there is no alternative."
+
+"Come, you are un brave garçon! I respect you for your resolution. There
+is a vessel of mine being loaded now, and if you will really go on board
+in such a way as you propose I think we can manage it, and your durance
+will not last more than a few hours. You will be a Regulus without the
+nails."
+
+Smiling grimly at this allusion, he went out, and left me to meditate
+on what lay before me. It was not pleasant, certainly; but then the
+incentive was so great!--to join all whom I held dear, in a free land!
+The light affliction would be but for a moment.
+
+Monsieur Bort returned. "All is arranged," said he complacently.
+"I have taken the porter who will roll you into the secret. He promises
+to be as careful of you as he can. An officer on board is likewise in my
+confidence: he engages you shall be released as soon as the vessel is
+fairly under weigh. So take heart; it will be but a short trial compared
+with what many Huguenots are put to. Take this money and these papers--"
+
+After some business directions he accompanied me to the warehouse, where
+the cask awaited me, with some hay to soften my journey in it.
+
+"You are a pipe of Bordeaux, going as a present to my particular friend
+in London," said he, smiling. "Now, behave yourself as a good pipe of
+wine should; and don't cry out even if you are hurt. See, there are some
+air-holes. You won't stifle."
+
+"They are very small--"
+
+"How can that be helped? Who would have doors and windows in a
+wine-cask? You will get on board alive, will be released when well
+to sea, and must not mind a little discomfort."
+
+We shook hands, and I stepped in and settled myself as well as I could,
+with my mouth close to one of the air-holes; and the cask was closed
+upon me. The next minute I was rolled slowly off; and a most odd
+sensation it was! I advise you to try it, if you would like something
+perfectly new; but have bigger air-holes if you can; and even then let
+your experiment be short.
+
+I verily believe the porter did his best for me; but how slowly
+he rolled: and even then what bumps and jolts I had when we came to
+uneven ground! Now and then he stopped, to wipe his face and rest,
+seemingly--then on we trundled again Meanwhile I was getting exceedingly
+hot; all the blood in my body seemed mounting into my head: and
+unpleasant ideas of smothering obtruded themselves. The noises around me
+told me we were on the wharf; then the jolting and bumping became worse
+than before: I fancied I could tell we passed up a sloping plank and
+were on shipboard. Then, without the least warning, I was rolled over
+and over, and then set upon my head! but a loud cry outside drowned a
+smothered cry within; and I was placed in a horizontal position again,
+with feelings impossible to describe.
+
+I think I became sleepy after that; or else in a painless state of
+insensibility. When I woke I was numb all over, and had to rub my
+dazzled eyes as the bright daylight broke in on them.
+
+"He seems to like his quarters so well as to have no mind to turn out,"
+said a rough voice.
+
+"He wants assistance," said some one, in a kinder tone; and a handsome,
+frank-looking man laid hold of my arm, and helped me to rise. Above me
+were the sails and cordage of a ship; all around me the sparkling blue
+waves, leaping in freedom. I clasped my hands, and raised them to
+heaven.
+
+"You do well to give thanks where thanks are due," said the mate. "Now
+come into the cabin."
+
+Seeing me stagger, he took me by the arm, and kindly assisted me into
+the presence of the captain, saying, "Here is one of the noble army of
+martyrs."
+
+The captain gave me a most kind reception, made me dine with him, and
+asked me a great many questions. He then told me many moving stories of
+other Huguenots who had escaped or tried to escape to England; and he
+related such instances of the kindness of the English to the fugitives
+that my heart warmed towards them with gratitude and hope.
+
+After this I suffered much from seasickness, and lay two or three days
+in my cot, where we were buffeted of the winds, and tossed. We were
+chased by a strange ship, and had to put on all the sail we could to
+escape being overhauled; and this led to our being driven out of our
+course; so that, what with one thing and another, we we did not reach
+Gravesend till the 8th of November. Then the captain went ashore with
+his ship's papers, and, after transacting business, started for London,
+and took me with him.
+
+What a day it was for forming one's first impressions of that
+much-longed-for capital! There was a thick November fog, through which
+street-lamps sent an imperfect light; and shops were lighted up with
+candles. Vehicles ran against one another in the streets, in spite of
+link-boys darting between the horses, fearless of danger, and scattering
+sparks from their fiery torches. The noise, the unknown language,
+the strange streets and lanes bewildered me. The captain called a
+hackney-coach, and in this we made our way to Fenchurch street,
+where lived his shipping agent, Mr. Smith. We went upstairs to his
+counting-house, and found him talking to some one, who turned round
+as we entered.
+
+I exclaimed "Oh, my father!" and precipitated myself into his arms.
+He embraced me with transport.
+
+"Where is my mother? Where is Madeline?"
+
+"Safe and well, at the country-house of our esteemed friend Mr. Smith.
+Thither I will speedily take you, my dear boy. I came here to gather
+tidings of you."
+
+"How long it seems since we lost sight of one another!"
+
+"Long, indeed! And how much we have to tell each other! But we are
+in smooth water now. In this free, happy land people are no longer
+persecuted for their faith. We must begin the world again, my son; but
+what does that signify? You have youth and energy; I have experience
+and patience."
+
+The captain and Mr. Smith looked on with sympathy at our mutual
+felicitations. Soon I was with my father in a stage-coach on our way to
+Walthamstow. There, in an old-fashioned red-brick mansion, I found my
+mother, brothers and sisters, my Madeleine, and Gabrielle. What joy!
+What affection!
+
+In short, we were all, without one exception, among the four hundred
+thousand persons who forsook France rather than renounce their faith.
+Of that number, a very great many perished of famine, hardships, and
+fatigue; but we were among the many who safely reached this hospitable
+country and commenced life anew. Many of us settled without the city
+walls in the open ground of Spital Fields, which we gradually covered
+with houses and silk-factories. Here we spoke our own language, sang our
+own songs, had our own places of worship, and built our dwellings in the
+old French style, with porticoes and seats at the doors, where our old
+men sat and smoked on summer evenings, and conversed with one another
+in their own tongue.
+
+At first our starving refugees were relieved by a Parliamentary grant of
+£15,000 a year; but, God prospering our industry our trade went on
+steadily increasing till that, now, in 1713, three hundred thousand of
+us are maintained by it in England. And many others of us in friendly
+countries abroad, where we have been driven. Prosperity to those among
+whom we have settled has followed. The native land that cast us forth
+has been impoverished. Happy are the people whom the Lord hath blessed.
+Yea, happy are they who have the Lord for their God.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACQUES BONNEVAL***
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+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Jacques Bonneval, by Anne Manning</title>
+<style type="text/css">
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+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Jacques Bonneval, by Anne Manning</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Jacques Bonneval</p>
+<p>Author: Anne Manning</p>
+<p>Release Date: October 30, 2004  [eBook #13896]</p>
+<p>[Last updated: February 18, 2021]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACQUES BONNEVAL***</p>
+<br><br><h3>E-text prepared by David Garcia<br>
+            and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</h3><br><br>
+<hr class="pg" noshade>
+<br><br><br><br>
+
+<h1>
+    JACQUES BONNEVAL;
+</h1>
+<center><small>
+    OR, THE
+</small></center>
+<h2>
+    DAYS OF THE DRAGONNADES.
+</h2>
+
+<center>
+    <small>BY THE AUTHOR OF</small><br> <i>MARY POWELL</i><br> <i>THE FAIRE GOSPELLER</i><br> ETC., ETC.
+</center>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CONTENTS.
+</h2>
+
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0001">
+CHAPTER I.<br>THE FAIR OF BEAUCAIRE</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0002">
+CHAPTER II.<br>THE FEAST OF ST. MAGDALEN</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0003">
+CHAPTER III.<br>LES ARÈNES</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0004">
+CHAPTER IV.<br>MY UNCLE CHAMBRUN</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0005">
+CHAPTER V.<br>THE PASSPORT</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0006">
+CHAPTER VI.<br>TRIAL BY FIRE</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0007">
+CHAPTER VII.<br>LA CROISSETTE</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0008">
+CHAPTER VIII.<br>PERSECUTED, YET NOT FORSAKEN</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0009">
+CHAPTER IX.<br>CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED</a></p>
+<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0010">
+CHAPTER X.<br>"MY NATIVE LAND, GOOD-NIGHT"</a></p>
+<hr>
+
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<center>
+<img src="images/image-1.png" width="100%"
+alt="(Decorative Capital)">
+</center>
+
+<h2>
+    JACQUES BONNEVAL:
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    OR, THE DAYS OF THE DRAGONNADES
+</h3>
+<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER I.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    THE FAIR OF BEAUCAIRE.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of
+    Beaucaire. Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder
+    I heard plenty about it. It is true, that in my time, the world-famous
+    fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs in
+    general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and
+    not only France, but of all civilized countries. With what enjoyment
+    would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy
+    merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious
+    outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them
+    to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off
+    prisoners and extort heavy ransom. My grandfather would tell hew long
+    files of mules, laden with rich silks, cloths, serges, camlets, and
+    furs, from Montpelier, from Narbonne, from Toulouse, from Carcassonne,
+    and other places, would wend towards Beaucaire, as the day called the
+    Feast of St. Magdalene approached, on which the fair was opened. The
+    roads were then thronged with travelers; the city was choke-full of
+    strangers; not a bed to be had, unless long preëngaged, for love or
+    money. The shops exhibited the utmost profusion of rich goods;
+    hospitality was exercised without grudging; old friends met from year to
+    year; matches between their children were frequently concerted; bargains
+    were struck, and commercial bills were commonly made payable at the Fair
+    of Beaucaire. The crowd was immense while it lasted; a hundred thousand
+    strangers being generally present.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Thus, you can easily conceive what charms such a lively scene had for
+    the young; while to the old it was the crown of their industry during
+    the year. Those at a distance, finding communications difficult and
+    journeys expensive, were glad to make an annual pilgrimage serve their
+    turn, when they were certain of meeting their fellow-traders, and of
+    having under their notice goods from all parts of the world.
+</p>
+<p>
+    It was with great glee, therefore, that I, a youth of nineteen, started
+    with my family for the Fair of Beaucaire on the 21st of July, 1685.
+    Accommodation was promised us by my uncle Nicolas, and we went the day
+    before the festival in order to see it from the beginning. I drove a
+    large and commodious char-a-banc, in which were my father and mother, my
+    younger brothers and sisters, Monsieur Bourdinave, my father's partner,
+    his two fair daughters, Madeleine and Gabrielle, and their old servant
+    Alice, who was also their kinswoman in a distant degree.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I was held to be a smart youth in those days, by my family and friends,
+    and certainly I had made myself as fine as I could, in the hope of
+    pleasing Madeleine, who, to my mind, was the most charming girl in the
+    world. Nor was she behindhand in the way of ornament, for she and her
+    sister were dressed in their best, and looked as fresh as daisies. In
+    fact, we were, one and all, in holiday attire; even the horse being
+    tricked out with ribbons, tassels, fringes, and flowers, till he was
+    quite a sight.
+</p>
+<p>
+    My father opened the day with family worship, which always seemed to put
+    us in tune for the morning, and spread a balmy influence over us. I well
+    remember the portion of Scripture he read was the seventeenth chapter of
+    St. John's Gospel, which, I need not remind you, contains this verse&mdash;"I
+    pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou
+    shouldest keep them from the evil." My father dwelt on this in his
+    prayer, and said, "Lord, I know that these dear young people cannot pass
+    through life without hearing and seeing much of evil: but, oh, keep them
+    unspotted by it! Let an atmosphere of sanctity and safety surround them
+    even in the midst of the fires, that they receive no hurt. In their
+    allowed pleasures and pastimes, let them wear that spiritual hauberk
+    which is invulnerable to the darts of the wicked; let them steadfastly
+    set their faces against whatever thy word disallows; and, should fiery
+    trial and temptation beset them, enable them, having done all, to stand."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I am confident that these were as nearly as possible the very words of
+    my father; for they made an impression on me that I could hardly account
+    for: and as he had recently been explaining to the children the nature
+    of a hauberk, as a coat of defensive armor, and remarking on its pliancy
+    and being often worn out of sight, the metaphor fixed itself in my
+    memory.
+</p>
+<p>
+    We had a substantial breakfast of soup and bread before we started; and
+    then drove in state to M. Bourdinave's door, where I sprang out to help
+    the smiling girls into the char-a-banc. I would gladly have had
+    Madeleine next me, but, as ill-luck would have it, M. Bourdinave placed
+    himself at my side, and my father just behind; so that I was completely
+    shut out from her, to my great chagrin. However, if I could not see her,
+    unless by looking round, I knew she could see me; so I carried myself my
+    best, and flourished my whip in fine style.
+</p>
+<p>
+    And thus we went to the Fair of Beaucaire. As we passed Les Arènes, that
+    famous Roman amphitheatre in the centre of our city, I heard my father
+    and his old friend allude to its former uses, without paying much heed
+    to them. I believe they reminded one another that not only wild beasts
+    but Christians had formerly been put to death there, for the recreation
+    of those who were wild beasts themselves; and my father said how he
+    hated the Sunday bull-fights that took place there still, and never
+    would let me go near them; on which I put in soberly, "I never want to,
+    father."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Thou art a steady lad, I'll warrant thee," said M. Bourdinave,
+    approvingly. "Hold fast the form of sound words which hath been given
+    thee in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ay, ay, sir," said I, whipping old Réné smartly. And in another minute
+    we were thumping and bumping over great paving-stones, too noisily for
+    conversation to be carried on, and getting into a mêlée of carts,
+    wagons, and horsemen, all bound for Beaucaire. The women were now in
+    great delight, looking from side to side, commenting on the dress of
+    one, the equipage of another, nodding to acquaintance, and crying "O,
+    look!" to each other, when they saw anything beyond common. I had enough
+    to do, I assure you, to steer a straight course; and M. Bourdinave
+    observing it, remarked that he hoped I should be equally vigilant in
+    steering a straight course through life, which made me cry "Ay, ay,
+    sir," and set me thinking.
+</p>
+<p>
+    When the road became a little quieter, I heard him and my father
+    discussing the price of cocoons, the superiority of good cocoons to
+    cocalons, dupions, and soufflons; which last, I need not tell you, are
+    very imperfect cocoons; dupions have two threads, and confuse one with
+    another; and pointed cocoons are apt to break in the winding. But all
+    these, as you know, are turned to account by the silk-spinner, and
+    worked up into stockings, sewing-silk, and handkerchiefs. But the good
+    cocoons that yield a strong, thick, compact filament, are appropriated
+    by the silk-throwsters.
+</p>
+<p>
+    But this trade-talk was interrupted by cries of amused delight from
+    the women, and on looking about to see what tickled their fancies, they
+    pointed out to us a most extraordinary figure, standing bolt upright
+    in a cart. He was tall and meagre, and wore a long black robe and tall
+    pointed cap, both of which appeared spangled with silver; instead of
+    which, they were studded with steel buttons, needles, and pins, of which
+    he was an itinerant vendor. I believe the women would have purchased
+    largely of him, had my father let me stop.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Next we came up with a little house upon wheels, drawn by a sorry horse,
+    and on the wooden wall of the said house was depicted, many sizes larger
+    than life, a great human tooth, with bleeding fangs. Beneath was an
+    inscription that the owner of the cart was a traveling dentist, who drew
+    teeth without the least pain.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Alice, the maid, had instantly a great desire to let him draw a
+    troublesome tooth of hers which, she took pains to assure us, was not
+    impaired by natural decay, but only accidentally broken in cracking
+    a cherry-stone. "The edge is so rough," said she, "that it hurts my
+    tongue; and since this honest gentleman can extract it painlessly,
+    I have a great mind to try his hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Plenty of time for that when we get to Beaucaire," said M. Bourdinave.
+    "Sure, you would not have a tooth drawn in the middle of the high road?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Truly, I should not mind it, inside that nice little wooden house,"
+    said she.
+</p>
+<p>
+    But no, she was not allowed to do so; and, to console her, Madeleine
+    uncovered a little basket she carried on her arm, and discovered
+    cherries as red as her own lips, nestling in dark green leaves. "Here,"
+    said she, cheerfully, "are some stones to take your revenge on."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, what beauties," cried Alice, taking a few; and the basket being
+    handed round, we were soon all eating cherries; and Gabrielle asked me
+    if I did not wish she had the gift of St. Marguerite.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I do not know what gift you mean," said I, turning half round, and
+    looking full at her.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Once on a time," said the lively girl, "the foolish story goes, that
+    two saints, who were brother and sister, lived in separate monasteries;
+    but the brother was frequently visited by his sister, on the pretence
+    of seeking spiritual advice. Their names were St. Honorat and St.
+    Marguerite. At length the brother grew rather tired of his sister's
+    visits, and called them a waste of time. 'Henceforth, let it suffice
+    that I shall visit you occasionally, said he. 'When?' said St.
+    Marguerite. 'When the cherry-trees blossom,' said St Honorat. Thereupon,
+    St. Marguerite prayed that the cherry-trees might blossom once a month,
+    which they did; so her brother acknowledged himself outwitted."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Fie for shame, daughter," said M. Bourdinave, with displeasure. "I am
+    grieved that you should remember and repeat such lying legends."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Dear father, they exercise the fancy&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Exercise the fancy, indeed! Let fancy confine herself to her own
+    province. She is a good servant, but a bad mistress. The Jews exercised
+    their fancies in the wild Talmudical fables. What said our Saviour of
+    them? 'Ye make the word of God of none effect through your traditions.
+    Let me hear no more papistical fables."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Gabrielle hung her head, and stealing a glance that way, I saw Madeleine
+    pass her arm round her sister's waist, and look sweetly at her, which
+    made me think Madeleine more attractive than ever. M. Bourdinave did not
+    immediately recover his equanimity, but addressing my father, said it
+    more than ever behooved good Reformers to walk warily, and not give in
+    to any of the ensnaring practices of the surrounding Catholics. "Little
+    by little they are stealing in on us already," said he, "and, if our
+    sagacious men are to be believed, a time of trouble is preparing for us
+    that may perhaps not fall very short of the massacre on the day of St.
+    Bartholomew."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Still," said my father, "we are under the protection of the Edict of
+    Nantes."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Edicts may be set aside," said M. Bourdinave, in a lowered voice, which
+    yet I heard, being next him. "Only think how we have been annoyed and
+    injured the last two or three years, by edicts differing greatly from
+    the Edict of Nantes. That one, for instance, which rendered us liable to
+    the intrusion of Catholics into our temples, to spy at our observances,
+    pick up scraps of our sermons, and report them incorrectly. What
+    advantage the rabble have taken of it!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Too true," said my father, gravely.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Last year," pursued M. Bourdinave, "that attempted confederacy for
+    mutual protection, when all our closed meetinghouses were reopened for
+    worship, showed what temper our adversaries were of."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "It was an ill-considered measure," said my father, slowly.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ill-conducted, rather," said M. Bourdinave. "The act should have been
+    simultaneous; whereas the want of concert among our people betrayed
+    their weakness, and laid them open to attack. The military at Bordeaux
+    acted with shocking barbarity."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I do not like to think upon it," said my father. "I trust there will be
+    no recurrence of such lamentable scenes."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I much fear there will be, though," said M. Bourdinave, gloomily.
+    "Satan desires to have us, that he may sift us like wheat. Let us hope
+    to abide the trial."
+</p>
+<p>
+    At this moment a burst of noisy music, drowned their voices; and the
+    needle-seller's horse, which was just before us, making a sudden start,
+    the poor needle-vendor was thrown off his balance, and jerked out of his
+    cart on to a heap of flints by the road-side, while his horse began to
+    kick. Giving the reins to my father, I jumped out, and ran to his
+    assistance; but he was so prickly all over, that it was difficult to lay
+    hold of him. His needles and pins ran into my fingers in a dozen places.
+    To make matters worse, his nose began to bleed, so that he was in a
+    pitiable plight. However, I picked him up at last, found he was not
+    seriously injured, gave him a clean handkerchief (which he promised to
+    return), and started him off again in his cart, in a sitting position
+    this time, and much crestfallen.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The throng increased as we approached Beaucaire, and when we got into
+    the streets there was frequently a complete stoppage. Oh, what a lively
+    scene it was! and what a noise! Music playing, bells ringing, people
+    talking at the top of their voices. What joyous meetings! what hearty
+    welcomes! what various smells of fried fish, hot soups, and roast meats!
+    Truly, the Fair of Beaucaire exceeded my liveliest imaginings, and yours
+    will certainly never come up to it.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The fair, you have perhaps heard, is held on a wide open ground between
+    the Rhone and the castle rock. This space was covered with streets of
+    booths and sheds, in which all kinds of merchandise were displayed.
+    The river was choked with heavily-freighted barges. As for the streets,
+    they were hung from their upper windows with the richest tapestries;
+    silks, damasks, velvets, and goldsmiths' work were displayed in the
+    richest abundance; the most costly valuables exposed, almost at the
+    mercy of jostling wayfarers; banners flaunting overhead, and casting
+    fleeting shadows beneath. Languages of all nations mingled in strange
+    medley&mdash;German, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Arabic, Russian. Ah, it was
+    like a dream!
+</p>
+<p>
+    My uncle Nicolas received us most heartily; and, while my father and
+    M. Bourdinave went about their affairs, I had the pleasing charge of the
+    women, and showing them what was to be seen. My mother, with a child
+    in each hand, Madeleine and I, each with another child, Gabrielle and
+    old Alice close behind us, formed such a phalanx that we made way for
+    ourselves, or had it made for us, wherever we went, and saw everything
+    we wanted to see. We even saw the dentist, and Alice would not be foiled
+    this time, but almost thrust herself on his notice. He made her sit on
+    the ground, put her head between his knees and dragged out the tooth by
+    main force. She screamed horribly, and said, "You engaged to give no
+    pain!" "To myself," said he, "but I could not engage for you." So there
+    was the laugh against her. However, the tooth was out, and he generously
+    gave it to her; so we walked away laughing.
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER II.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    THE FEAST OF ST. MAGDALEN.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    We looked about us till dinner, and after dinner we looked about us
+    again; for the women and children seemed as though they would never be
+    sated with sightseeing; and as for me, I was never sated of going about
+    with Madeleine. All at once she cried out in a frightened voice, "Where
+    is Gabrielle?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    We looked about and could see neither her nor Alice; and as it was
+    nearly the hour they call vesper, though the days were still pretty
+    long, we were greatly alarmed at their disappearance. Little Louison,
+    however, plucked my sleeve, and said, "I think they went in there,"
+    pointing to a church-door; so, although my father specially objected to
+    my setting foot within a Catholic place of worship, Madeleine and I went
+    in to look for her sister; but my mother kept the children outside. As
+    soon as we entered we found ourselves almost in darkness, what little
+    light there was proceeding from great wax candles; and there was a good
+    deal of tawdry finery and trumpery all about, and a strong smell of
+    incense. I was looking about me with curiosity and interest, mixed with
+    a certain repulsion, when Madeleine, in an eager undertone, exclaimed,
+    "There she is!" and pressed forward, I close following, to a little
+    side-altar, where Gabrielle and Alice were listening, with amused
+    wonder, to a priest, who was telling a group of people about him that
+    what he was exhibiting to them was one of Mary Magdalen's bones; and
+    that she and Lazarus, and Martha his sister, had put to sea in an old
+    boat, and in process of time, after being sorely buffeted by winds and
+    waves, had been cast ashore at Marseilles, where they preached the
+    gospel to the natives, and converted them all.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I did not believe one word of this, nor did Madeleine, who drew her
+    reluctant sister away; and when we got her into the open air, rebuked
+    her for doing what their father would not approve. Gabrielle looked
+    inclined to defend herself, and make a joke of it. However, a great bell
+    began to clang so near us as to drown her voice; people were pushing
+    past us into church, and we found ourselves going against the stream,
+    and made the best of our way out of it, and back to our quarters.
+    My father and M. Bourdinave were standing at the door, conversing with
+    my uncle, and when they saw us they smiled, and my father said, with
+    unwonted softness in his tone, "Well, children, are you come back? Have
+    you enjoyed yourselves?" and looked earnestly at Madeleine, whose eyes
+    sank under his.
+</p>
+<p>
+    My uncle Nicolas kept a mercer's shop, and his shelves and counters were
+    now so laden with goods that it was difficult to steer our way through
+    them to the steep stair which led to the floor above; and that, too, was
+    converted, for the time, into a kind of warehouse; but above that was
+    the living-room, and above that, again, numerous bedrooms with sloping
+    sides, and small windows piercing the steep roof. My aunt Jeanne was
+    good and hospitable to excess. She would not let M. Bourdinave and his
+    family return to their lodging till they had supped with her, though
+    there were other guests; so we were jammed rather closely around the
+    table with little elbow-room. Then ensued clinking of glasses, clatter
+    of plates, dishes, knives, forks, the buzzing of many tongues, savory
+    smells of hot viands, and much helping and pressing of one another; much
+    talk of the price of silks, velvets, and serges; of the credit of such
+    and such a house; of the state of trade; of the court; and of the
+    country. I, wedged between Madeleine and her sister, had the opportunity
+    of giving her many tender looks, though few words passed between us.
+    Among the strangers at table was a strangely unpleasant Englishman, who
+    prefaced every speech with "I want to know&mdash;" and would not be satisfied
+    with a short answer. At length my father mildly said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Sir, you seek to know trade secrets. You know there are secrets in all
+    trades."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That is precisely why I want to know them," said he, laughing.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But a good reason why we should not tell them," said my father; who
+    then turned from him, and addressed some one else. Gabrielle whispered,
+    "I shall call that man Monsieur I-want-to-know."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, well, I know already what I chiefly want," pursued the Englishman,
+    who, had he not been drinking more freely than was good for him, would
+    probably have been less communicative. "I've been to Italy, and have
+    seen the Italian machinery for throwing silk, and shall carry back a
+    pretty good idea of the process."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That man shall never carry anything back," whispered a
+    vindictive-looking Italian, whose eyes glittered like fire.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Hush! he is only an empty boaster."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We want no empty boasters. We will not let him steal our trade
+    secrets."
+</p>
+<p>
+    That night, going home to his lodging, the Englishman was set upon by
+    the Italian, and pricked with his stiletto, narrowly escaping with his
+    life. He gave him what he called "a good English black-eye," and bawled
+    loudly for justice. The Italian ran off, and was no more seen; and the
+    Englishman, whose ugly name was Hogg, talked big about applying to his
+    ambassador, Sir William Trumbull, but was induced to let the matter
+    drop. The ambassador shortly had worse things to complain of.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The next day was the Catholic Feast of St. Magdalen, which, though we
+    Huguenots felt no manner of respect for, we were obliged to conform to
+    outwardly, by not selling or working in open shops, till the services
+    of the day were over. We made up to ourselves for it by having a
+    prayer-service of our own in-doors, followed by a long exposition and
+    exhortation from a godly minister named Brignolles, who warned us of
+    times of trial that should soon be revealed, and adjured us to put on
+    the whole armor of God, that we might be able to withstand in the evil
+    day, and having done all, to stand. Then, after our mid-day meal, we
+    went forth to see the show.
+</p>
+<p>
+    This time I had the care of Gabrielle, and wished I had not, for she was
+    in her giddiest humor, and a young man, whose appearance I did not like,
+    continually hung about us, and looked attentively at her, which I
+    resented, but she was evidently pleased with. At length, some waxwork
+    attracting our notice, a change took place in the disposition of our
+    party. I shifted the charge of Gabrielle to her father, and got
+    Madeleine instead. My memories of the rest of the day are more about
+    Madeleine than anything else.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I remember, though, that we fell in with our neighbors the Lefevres at
+    a waxwork stall, and while Madeleine and I were admiring some fruit that
+    exactly imitated nature, little Jules Lefevre stretched out his hand to
+    touch a little waxen boy with a lamb, saying, "Pretty, pretty!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Dear child, you shall have it!" cried a honeyed voice behind; and a
+    lady nicely dressed put the image into his hand, and stooped down to
+    kiss him. When Marie Lefevre turned round, and saw what her little boy
+    held, she looked displeased, and made him lay it on the stall again, for
+    it was one of those papistical images which we hold in detestation.
+</p>
+<p>
+    At night, when all had dispersed but our own immediate party, there was
+    a pause, and I saw that the elders had something on their minds that
+    they were about to unfold. I felt a strange emotion that presaged what
+    was coming, for not a hint had been dropped.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Son," said my father&mdash;and I looked towards him with awe&mdash;"you are now
+    on the confines of manhood, and it behooves us to consider your future.
+    At your time of life I was betrothed to your mother, and a share was
+    promised me of my father's business. What are your own views respecting
+    your course in life?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    All the elder people fixed their eyes on me with gravity, and Madeleine
+    afterwards told me her heart stopped beating; while Gabrielle struggled
+    with a disposition to laugh.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My views are," returned I, boldly, "to follow my honored father,
+    step by step, and, his concurrence obtained, to get betrothed as fast
+    as I can."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well said, my boy," said my father, heartily, while every face wore
+    a broad smile but one, which was mantling with blushes.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Provided," continued I, "that I may choose the young lady."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Let us know where your choice will fall," said my father, trying to
+    keep the corners of his mouth in order, while M. Bourdinave scarcely
+    suppressed a chuckle.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I stepped across the room, and took Madeleine's hand. "Here is my
+    choice," said I, "if she will have me. We have known each other from
+    childhood."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Madeleine instantly snatched her hand away, and covered her face.
+    However, the next moment her father joined our hands, and gave us his
+    blessing; and then we were bewildered with congratulations and good
+    auguries; and Master Brignolles gave us a world of good advice, and
+    offered a prayer; and my father gave me a ring of betrothal to put on
+    her finger, and thus we became plighted to one another.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The rest of our stay at Beaucaire passed like a dream, and its
+    brightness yet remained while we pursued our homeward journey. Madeleine
+    sat close behind me this time, and on her knee was little Jules Lefevre,
+    whom we had taken in charge of because his father's wagon was over-full.
+    He had something clasped tight in his hand, which he unclosed for a
+    moment at Madeleine's request, and gave her a glimpse of a little "Agnus
+    Dei," which he said had been given him by "the pretty lady." How or when
+    she had done so, we never made out. Madeleine tried to get it from him;
+    but he resisted with all his might, saying it was "his own."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "It must be confessed," said Gabrielle, "that the Catholic churches have
+    much more in them to attract the eye than our plain temples."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Who denies it?" said I. "Their appeals are to the outward senses, which
+    never influence the heart."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I think my heart would be very much influenced by them," said
+    Gabrielle, "if I had not been brought up to think them wrong."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I cannot bear to hear you talk in that way, sister," said Madeleine.
+    "Pray, do not seem indifferent to the blessings of a purer faith."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Gabrielle pouted, and said, "Indifferent? no; but perhaps if you and I
+    had been brought up Catholics, we might have been as positive we held
+    the purer faith as we are now that we are of the Reformed."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "A very good thing, then, that you were not so brought up," said I,
+    "for then I should not have been betrothed to Madeleine;" and to prevent
+    her pursuing so unpleasant a subject, I lifted up my voice and sang.
+    Little Jules presently dropped asleep in Madeleine's arms, and his
+    little fat fingers unclosing, the dangerous bauble dropped from them,
+    and, by a dexterous touch of my whip, I flicked it into the road.
+    By-and-by, awaking, he cried for it, and beat Madeleine with his tiny
+    fists; nor was pacified till his attention was diverted by an almost
+    interminable file of mules, with their five or six olive-faced muleteers
+    in brown jackets and red sashes.
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER III.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    LES ARÈNES.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    When we got back, we found my uncle Chambrun, my mother's only brother,
+    standing at the door. He was the minister of a small town near Avignon,
+    and did not care to go to the Fair; nevertheless he was very glad to
+    hear all about it from those who had been there. We were well pleased
+    to have so ready a listener; and when we had said our say, he fell into
+    grave talk with my father and mother of the signs of the times, which
+    he thought very threatening.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What can we expect otherwise," said he, "with Louis the Fourteenth
+    for king and Louvois for his minister, and Père la Chaise for his
+    confessor, and Madame de Maintenon for his confidante and adviser?
+    A storm is gathering overhead, but never mind&mdash;there is a heaven higher
+    than all." These words checked us; but youthful spirits soon rise, and
+    the impression did not last long. I now seemed walking on air, for I
+    loved and was loved by Madeleine.
+</p>
+<p>
+    A few days after our return from Beaucaire, Marie Lefevre burst in on us
+    with troubled looks, and exclaimed,
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Have you seen my boy?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No!" exclaimed we all.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Then something has befallen him," cried she, wringing her hands. "We
+    have lost sight of him."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We gathered about her, full of pity, and asked where he had last been
+    seen.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Near Les Arènes."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "He may have fallen into some pit, or lost himself among the dungeons,"
+    said my mother. "We will go and help you to find him."
+</p>
+<p>
+    So she and I accompanied Marie, who was crying bitterly, and made
+    frequent inquiries for him by the way.
+</p>
+<p>
+    When we got inside that vast, circular inclosure, we agreed that Marie
+    should explore one side and we the other, and thus meet at the other
+    end. This took us some time, for you must know that it consists of two
+    stories, each of sixty arcades, seventy feet high; and under its great
+    arches and pillars are many vaulted chambers and passages, wherein good
+    Christians have been confined; and again, wherein other good Christians
+    have found asylums in time of hot persecution. Within the amphitheatre
+    were originally thirty-two rows of seats, which would accommodate at
+    least twenty thousand spectators that had a mind to feast their eyes on
+    scenes of blood in the central arena. I looked with curiosity at this
+    place, which I had never so thoroughly visited before. Some of the dens
+    were still in use for the bulls that were baited on Sundays, and others
+    seemed lairs for rogues and vagabonds; but there was many a corner
+    which, as I said to my mother, would afford a good hiding-place in time
+    of danger, and one, especially, in which I thought a fugitive might defy
+    detection (though <i>I</i> had detected it).
+</p>
+<p>
+    Well, we hunted high and low, but could not find little Jules. His
+    mother was distracted: we feared she would lose her reason altogether.
+    Madeleine devoted herself to her like an angel; neighbors were full of
+    compassion&mdash;those of our own persuasion, I mean; for the Catholics
+    mocked her and said, "Go seek him in the Jews' quarter. The Jew baker's
+    daughter has, doubtless, made him into pies. Go seek him in their secret
+    assemblies&mdash;in their cellars&mdash;in their slaughter-houses&mdash;doubtless they
+    are fattening him for their Passover." Conceive the anguish of the
+    mother.
+</p>
+<p>
+    At length she found he was not dead. Her heart leaped for joy. But
+    when she found how the case stood with him, she was ready to wish
+    him dead and numbered among the little children that follow the Lamb
+    whithersoever he goeth. Jules had been kidnapped and tampered with by
+    the Catholics. The little apostate had been taught to curse his parents.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The case occasioned a great deal of talk in Nismes at the time;
+    unhappily, similar kidnappings made it soon forgotten, except by the
+    family.
+</p>
+<p>
+    One day, when I had been hunting for him, I came suddenly on the young
+    man who had stared so rudely at Gabrielle at Beaucaire. I was sorry to
+    see him in Nismes. I did not like the look of him, with his narrow head,
+    low forehead, and eyes too near his nose, though otherwise he was well
+    enough. Returning to our factory, I found him just coming out of it.
+    I said to my father, "Who is that?" He said, "A troublesome fellow,
+    I think, but he brought a message from your uncle Nicolas. He is called
+    Martin Prunevaux. He asked me all manner of impertinent questions, and,
+    if he fall in with you, may ask you as many; but remember Jaques Coeur's
+    motto,
+</p>
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<p>  "'En close bouche</p>
+<p>  N'entre mouche&mdash;'</p>
+</div></div>
+<p>
+    "And again, 'Dire, faire, taire.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ay, ay, father, you may depend on me," said I, heartily.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Sometimes, before I went to bed, I stepped out to get a glimpse of the
+    light in Madeleine's window. I should observe, it was also Gabrielle's,
+    for the sisters shared the same room. The moon cast strong lights and
+    shadows, and I kept in the shade till close to the house, when what was
+    my disgust to hear the wretched tinkle of a guitar under the window!
+    Serenades might be all very well for Italy, but we did not favor them
+    in Nismes; and stepping briskly up to the musician, I said abruptly,
+    "We want none of this miserable noise!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    He started as if shot, saying, "Pardon, monsieur," evidently taking
+    me for one of the family; a mistake which I favored by knocking at the
+    door. As I was in deep shadow he did not recognize me, but the moonlight
+    fell full on his face, and I saw it was Martin Prunevaux. I felt
+    exceedingly inclined to fall on him and beat him for daring to tune his
+    wretched pipes under Madeleine's window; but a second thought assured me
+    that Gabrielle must be his object; the more so that I was sure I saw her
+    shadow (which was shorter than her sister's) fall on the curtain, and
+    I could even fancy her making merry behind it. Still, I liked not such a
+    fellow to come prowling about either of the sisters. I stood my ground,
+    that I might not be guilty of a runaway knock, and when Alice came to
+    the door I made a bungling speech and said, "Oh, I suppose the family
+    are all gone to bed. I am late tonight." She said, "They are so, sir,"
+    and looked surprised. I said, "There was a street musician of some sort
+    before the house when I came up. I think I have chased him away." She
+    said, "All the better, sir; we are much obliged to you; we never
+    encourage such people."
+</p>
+<p>
+    When I rallied Madeleine, next day, on having been serenaded, tears
+    sprang into her eyes, and she assured me it was not her fault, adding
+    that she feared Gabrielle, in her thoughtlessness, must have given some
+    encouragement to a presumptuous young man. "However, when my father
+    returns, he will take measures," she added, "to prevent our being
+    further troubled with him." Monsieur Bourdinave was at this time
+    traveling on business.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The sisters spent that evening at our house as was not unusual. On these
+    occasions we often sang hymns; and I had just set the tune of "Chantez
+    de Dieu le renom"&mdash;
+</p>
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<p>  "Chantez de Dieu le renom,</p>
+<p>  Vous serviteurs du Seigneur!</p>
+<p>  Venez pour lui faire honneur,</p>
+<p>  Vous qui avez eu ce don"&mdash;</p>
+</div></div>
+<p>
+    and was lifting up my voice on high, followed by the sweet treble of the
+    girls, when a shower of stones rattled against the casement, and a flint
+    passed close to Madeleine and hit my father on the cheekbone. Hot with
+    anger, I rushed into the street, and found a group of unmannerly fellows
+    outside, who, instead of taking to their heels, gathered round me with
+    defiant looks.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What is the meaning of this?" cried I in anger.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What is the meaning of your disturbing the neighborhood with your
+    uproar?" cried one of them, saucily.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Uproar! We were singing to the praise and glory of God. Do you know
+    that you have hurt my father?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We neither know nor care; and if you don't keep a quiet tongue in your
+    head, will slit it as soon as not."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Come in, son, come in," said my father, whose cheek was covered with
+    blood. "As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men"&mdash;drawing
+    me indoors as he spoke.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Excellent advice! Take care that he follows it," cried they,
+    tauntingly, as my father shut-to the door. I was burning with rage;
+    Madeleine was in tears; the children, with scared looks, were gathered
+    round my mother. My father, with gentle force, drew me into the little
+    circle, and made me sit down beside him.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My children," said he, "we have been warned that evil times are coming,
+    and this may be the beginning. If it prove otherwise, we shall have the
+    more reason to praise the Lord; but if it please Him to try and to prove
+    us, let us not be found unprepared. Our strength lies in prayer, in not
+    giving offence, and in not being easily offended."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We gave no offence, father," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But you were too easily offended. If any one had cause of complaint, it
+    was I; but I do not take it up."
+</p>
+<p>
+    My mother was meanwhile bathing his cut cheek and applying a plaster.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Sure, it would make any son's blood boil, to see his father hit!" cried
+    I; and I saw that Madeleine sympathized with me.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Why, then, let his blood cool again," said my father, jocularly. "Tush,
+    many a school-boy gets a worse hurt than this, and makes no moan. There!
+    your mother has made all right, and I feel no smart. Let us say no more
+    about it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I thought he strikingly acted on our Lord's axiom of "If thine enemy
+    smite thee on the one cheek, offer him the other," but could not just
+    then enter into it. I longed to give those rascals a good beating.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Now, then, I'll set the tune again," said I, affecting composure.
+</p>
+<p>
+    But, "No, no," said the girls simultaneously; and "No, no," said my dear
+    mother. "Don't you see," she continued, "I have all this broken glass to
+    pick up? If you will do me a real kindness, you will step round to the
+    glazier, the first thing in the morning, and get him to mend the window
+    before breakfast."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I'll go at once," said I; but "No, no," was again the word. My father
+    laid his hand firmly on my right arm, and Madeleine hers on my left.
+    Though her touch was as light as a snow-flake, I would not have shaken
+    it off for the world.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "The streets are unquiet to-night," said my father, "and I mean no one
+    to go forth till the girls return home, when we will see them safely to
+    their door; going out the back way."
+</p>
+<p>
+    So we spent the next hour in a sober, subdued manner. Madeleine shyly
+    let me steal her hand and hold it some minutes, as though she knew it
+    would calm me. And so it did; there was much sweetness in that hour,
+    after all.
+</p>
+<p>
+    At length it was time to see them home; my mother kissed and blessed
+    them as if they were going further than into the next street. We went
+    out the back way, my father taking Gabrielle and I Madeleine, and we met
+    with no evil by the way. Being rather high-wrought, I would willingly
+    have faced a little danger for Madeleine's sake.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I kissed her soft cheek unrebuked, and followed my father through the
+    dark with a happy heart Mechanically, rather than from either devotion
+    or defiance, I began to hum "Chantez de Dieu," when my father's warning
+    hand plucked my sleeve, and, at the same instant, a rough voice beside
+    me said, "Hold your peace! Have you not heard of the <i>arrêt?</i>" and
+    passed on.
+</p>
+<p>
+    We had heard nothing of any <i>arrêt</i>; but next morning, when I went
+    to the glazier's, he told me that an order had been issued forbidding
+    the Reformed to sing psalms in the streets and public walks, or even
+    within their own houses loud enough to be heard outside. And he told
+    me he was so full of work that he hardly knew which way to turn, in
+    consequence of the many windows broken over night by evil-disposed men
+    suborned to interrupt psalmody. I asked him, half jesting, if he thought
+    any of the suborned men were glaziers; but it hurt him, for he was as
+    good a Huguenot as any in Nismes.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Going home with him, I saw a horrid sight&mdash;a dead body that had been
+    some time buried, torn from the grave, stripped of its shroud, and lying
+    in the gutter. I shuddered, and asked the glazier if we had not better
+    tell the authorities; but he hurried on, saying, "Better let it be. The
+    authorities doubtless know all about it." So there had we to leave the
+    ghastly object, though its remaining there was equally prejudicial to
+    decency and to health.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Men's tongues were very busy that day; every one foreboding calamity and
+    nobody knowing how to meet it.
+</p>
+<p>
+    My mother sent me, after breakfast, to visit my uncle Chambrun, who had
+    fallen sick; and as the distance was about seven leagues, I went to him
+    on a small but active horse. On my arrival, I found him in bed, with a
+    royal commissioner seated beside him, who was talking to him with great
+    show of courtesy, while my uncle looked much wearied. The bishop of
+    Valence was on the other side of his bed. Finding myself in such high
+    company, I fell back, and awaited a better opportunity of presenting
+    myself.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The commissioner was inquiring very sedulously after my uncle's health,
+    and assuring him he respected him greatly, and wished to show him favor.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We have been constrained," said he, "to subject several of your
+    colleagues to temporary confinement, but I have great hope that nothing
+    of the kind will be necessary in your case, if you are a man of wisdom
+    who know how to comply with exigencies as they arise, and thereby set an
+    example to those around you. To this end the bishop has come to put a
+    few easy interrogations. It is a mere form, and I am sure you will make
+    no difficulty."
+</p>
+<p>
+    My uncle thanked him for his kind expressions, but said he had a Master
+    in heaven to whom he owed his first duty.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "So have we all," interposed the bishop. And that he should make answer
+    with that end in view and nothing else.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The bishop then took up the word, and very little can I remember of what
+    he said, so hampered was I by his presence; but it was plain that he
+    sought to entangle my uncle in his talk. That was no easy thing to do,
+    my uncle was so temperate and logical, and so much more conversant with
+    the Holy Scriptures than the bishop was.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The commissioner, perceiving that the bishop was getting the worst of
+    it, broke in with&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+    "All this is beside the mark. The king is determined that you, Monsieur
+    Chambrun, should be a good Catholic; so it is no good begging off. You
+    had much better accept the good offer made you, which I trust you will
+    do on thinking it over."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "The only offer I desire," replied my uncle, "is of a passport, to
+    enable me, as soon as I am well enough, to follow my brother ministers
+    to Holland. My reason tells me&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "A truce with your reason," interrupted the bishop, rising to go away.
+    "You have too much rhetoric by half. I advise you to reflect and to
+    obey."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Monseigneur, I am sure you think you are giving me the best advice,"
+    said my uncle, feebly. "Nephew, see the noble and reverend gentlemen
+    out."
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER IV.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    MY UNCLE CHAMBRUN.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    Having done so, I returned to my uncle, and said to him,&mdash;"Uncle, the
+    bishop has gone away in great wrath, vowing that you shall repent of
+    your conduct."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "And when I would have made way for him," said my aunt, indignantly,
+    "he called me a bad name, and looked as if I were the very scum of
+    the earth."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, he does not recognize marriages among the clergy," said my uncle,
+    calmly. "Never mind him, my good Dorothée; he'd be glad enough to have a
+    wife of his own, and seeing me so much better off than he is, makes him
+    captious and querulous. Come and shake up my pillow, for my poor head
+    aches sadly. I will try to get a little sleep."
+</p>
+<p>
+    At that instant, a loud trampling of horses' feet was heard, together
+    with the jingling of spurs and the clanking of armor.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What's that?" cried Aunt Dorothée, running from the bed to the window,
+    and pulling back the little curtain, "Ah, le beau spectacle! Look out,
+    Jacques!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    It was indeed a fine spectacle, as far as mere outward splendor went,
+    to see a troup of cavalry in blue and burnished steel, on powerful black
+    horses, ride proudly by, making the very earth shake under them; and
+    many children, attracted by the sight, ran towards them, shouting and
+    throwing up their caps; but when I looked at the ferocious faces of
+    these men, seamed with many an ugly scar&mdash;their lowering brows, their
+    terrible eyes, their sour aspect&mdash;I felt they might be as dreadful to
+    face in peace as in war. I watched them out of sight, and then placed
+    myself beside my uncle, who, with closed eyes and folded hands, was
+    endeavoring to sleep. My aunt went below to baste the poulet for his
+    dinner. The house was very still; nothing was to be heard but the
+    ticking of the clock.
+</p>
+<p>
+    All at once I heard heavy feet tramping towards the house, and a
+    confused medley of rough voices. The next instant, the house door was
+    battered as if to break it in, which, being of solid oak, was no easy
+    matter. The door being opened, I heard a faint cry of terror from my
+    aunt, and a brawling and trampling impossible to describe. I looked down
+    from the stair-head and counted forty-two dragoons, trampling in one
+    after another, till, the house being of moderate size, there was hardly
+    room for them to stand. Yet they continued to pour in, jostling,
+    pushing, and elbowing one another, each trying to shout louder than his
+    comrades, "Holà! holà! House! house!&mdash;Give us to eat! Give us to drink!"
+    with frightful oaths and curses.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Good sirs, a moment's patience, and you shall be waited on," cried my
+    terrified aunt.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "To Jericho with your patience! We wait for nobody. I decide for this
+    poulet," said one, taking it up hot in his hands, and bawling because
+    they were burnt; "dress two dozen more&mdash;cook all you have in the
+    poultry-yard, or we will cook you."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I claim my share of that poulet," says one.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Why not have one apiece?" said another. "Who would make two bites of a
+    cherry? He has gnawn off all the best mouthfuls already. Come, be quick,
+    mistress housewife! Where are the cellar keys?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I've mislaid them, good sirs," said the poor terrified woman.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We'll kick the door open, then. Here's a ham! here are two hams! Ha!
+    ha! ham is good&mdash;we will heat the copper and boil them."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No, slice them and fry them," says another; "they take too long to
+    boil. Bread!&mdash;where's the bread? Where's the oven? If it were big
+    enough, goody, we'd put you into it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ha! ha! what have I found here!&mdash;a bag of money."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Divide! divide!" shouted two dozen voices.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "It's mine, I found it!" cried the first. Then they fell to blows,
+    and some of them fell sprawling to the ground, and were kicked, the bag
+    was snatched from the finder, and the money scattered on the floor;
+    then they scrambled for it, as many as could get near it, laughing and
+    cursing; while others ransacked drawers, cupboards, and shelves, and
+    others broke open the cellar door, and began to drink.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Terrified beyond expression, I went back to my uncle, and saw, to my
+    surprise and relief, that he had fallen into a heavy sleep, which was
+    a restorative he particularly needed. On looking from the window,
+    I say my aunt, almost incapacitated by her fears, attempting to catch
+    the poultry, in which the dragoons alternately helped and hindered her,
+    roaring with laughter when a hen flew shrieking over their heads, and
+    then abusing my aunt. They were quickly caught and plucked, and set,
+    some to roast, some to broil, according to their capricious mandates;
+    and then, when everything was in as fair train for their disorderly
+    feast as it well could be (two or three additional fires having been
+    kindled), one of them said, "Let us divert the time with a little good
+    music;" and began to beat a drum.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Louder! louder!" cried his comrades. "Let's have a chorus of drums!"
+    How they came to have so many, I know not, except that they were brought
+    for the special purpose of tormenting; but they produced six or eight,
+    slung them round their necks, and began to beat them, crying,&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Now for the tour of the house!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Sure my uncle must be dead!" thought I, leaning over him anxiously. But
+    no, his breath came and went, though inaudibly, and had he been allowed
+    to finish his sleep in peace it might have been for his healing.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Instead of this, I heard the dragoons come stamping upstairs, producing
+    a muffled roll on their drums that sounded like muttering thunder. They
+    went into one room after another, and speedily reached that of my uncle,
+    on catching sight of whom they triumphantly exclaimed, "Hah! ha! v'lâ
+    notre ami! Here is he whom we seek, and for whom we prepare the
+    reveille." And ranging themselves round his bed in a moment of time, in
+    spite of a warning gesture from me, it being impossible for my voice to
+    be heard, they simultaneously beat their drums with a clangor that might
+    have waked the dead. No wonder, therefore, that my poor uncle started
+    from his sleep bewildered, terrified, and looking as if he believed
+    himself in some horrid dream. In vain he moved his lips, in vain he
+    raised his clasped hands to one and another, as if in supplication; the
+    more distress he showed the more noise they made, till it seemed to me
+    as if my eardrums would split. In the midst of it all up came my aunt,
+    whose fortitude and presence of mind at that moment I can never
+    sufficiently admire; and with forced smiles and courteous gestures made
+    them to understand, in dumb show, that the first course of their meal
+    was served. Instantly the drums ceased; one of them seized her by the
+    shoulders, and hurried her down stairs before him, the others clattering
+    after him. I turned, and saw my uncle raise his eyes and hands to
+    heaven, and fall back on his pillow.
+</p>
+<p>
+    There was now a lull, while the viands were being consumed; but soon a
+    new uproar arose&mdash;the supply was inadequate for the demand: every morsel
+    of food in the house was consumed at one sitting, and yet there was not
+    nearly enough. The dragoons were furious: they gathered about my aunt,
+    pulling her hair, threatening her with their fists, threatening to boil
+    her in her own copper, and set fire to the house, with her sick husband
+    in it, if she did not procure an ample supply. With matchless patience
+    she looked one after another in the face, said, "Attendez, attendez,
+    messieurs, s'il vous plait;" and then, calling me down, bid me go forth
+    and beg of my neighbors as much food as I could.
+</p>
+<p>
+    When wondering much at my aunt's fortitude and self-possession, she
+    afterwards told me that she lifted her heart to God in earnest prayer,
+    and there came to her the comforting remembrance of these words.
+    "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for
+    theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Alas! what a scene presented itself out of doors. The people were
+    running up and down in despair; a woman rushed wildly out of her house,
+    and seized me by the arm, crying, "They are batooning my husband!"
+    Another shrieked from a window, 'Help, help, they are killing my
+    father!' Children ran about the streets, crying, "Oh, my father!&mdash;oh,
+    my mother!" It seemed a heartless task to be going from one to another
+    begging something to eat under such piteous circumstances; and yet how
+    knew I that as bad or worse a tragedy might be acted at my uncle's if
+    I failed to supply what was wanted?
+</p>
+<p>
+    At length I returned, staggering under the weight of a huge cheese and a
+    bag of chestnuts. And though I was reviled for not bringing them better
+    cheer, yet I pacified them by smiling like my aunt, and echoing her
+    "Attendez, messieurs, s'il vous plait;" and started forth again on my
+    foraging expedition, though very doubtful of having anything to bring
+    back.
+</p>
+<p>
+    How long were these horrible men going to stay? How could we go on
+    supplying their wants at this rate? If their orders were to eat my uncle
+    out of house and home, and drive him and my aunt to distraction, would
+    it not be just as well to let them do so at once, and have done with it?
+</p>
+<p>
+    One and another to whom I applied were so full of their own griefs that
+    I had to listen to what they had to say before they would or could hear
+    a word from me in return. One had been hung up by his feet over a
+    chimney; another had a knife held to his throat; one had seen her little
+    infant nearly strangled; another had been dragged along the ground by
+    her hair. I could not help pitying them sincerely, but not so much as
+    I should have done, but for the sad plight of my uncle. When I, with a
+    kind of wrench, forced the talk into the subject of what was going on at
+    his house, they, through their great love for him, forgot for a moment
+    their own trials in thinking of his; and those who had anything to
+    contribute brought it out, and those who had nothing to spare made up
+    for it in pity. All this consumed so much time that when I got back it
+    was nearly dark, and the house was all in a blaze with lights, for the
+    dragoons had lighted candles all over the house; and some of them were
+    stupid with drink, and lying in heaps; others were rendered quarrelsome
+    by it, and fighting and abusing one another; but as for the drummers,
+    they never ceased. They were at it when I set forth, they were at it
+    while I was away, they were at it when I came back again, and stared at
+    the good things I spread out before them without once staying their
+    drumsticks. I was so sick of it by this time, and so unable to disguise
+    my disgust and anger, that I persuaded myself I might as well return
+    home, for that I could do no good where I was, and things could get no
+    worse without me. So I went up to my aunt, who was then sitting like
+    a stone image, without seeming able to hear or see anything, and made
+    signs of leave-taking. She grasped my hand in both hers, and looked up
+    so piteously at me, her lips moving as if with the words "do not go,"
+    that I felt I must stay by her, come what would. For was she not my
+    mother's sister-in-law? and was not my uncle my mother's brother? I made
+    a sign I would remain, on which she kissed my hands; and then I patted
+    her on the shoulder, and could not help letting fall a tear. Then she
+    got up, and bestirred herself for the men, hoping, no doubt, they would
+    intermit their drumming if she could but conciliate them. But as soon
+    as one relay ceased drumming another took it up; and thus, shameful to
+    relate, they continued the whole night without intermission, crowding
+    round my uncle's bed, making his room intolerably hot and close, and
+    pushing in and out of the room and up and down the stairs.
+</p>
+<p>
+    My uncle now lay in a kind of torpor; the expression of his face painful
+    to witness; his wan hands lying outside the counterpane, and now and
+    then slightly moving, which showed me he still lived. Towards daybreak
+    I was so worn out that I dropped asleep as I sat beside him with my
+    face on the edge of his pillow&mdash;such deep sleep that I neither heard
+    nor dreamed of the drumming. When I woke, with a strangely confused,
+    unrefreshed feeling, the daylight was faintly making its way into the
+    room, which had no one in it but my uncle, my aunt, and me. She seemed
+    to have crawled with difficulty to the foot of his bed, and there sunk
+    and fallen asleep I went out on the landing&mdash;candles were burning in
+    their sockets with a vile smell&mdash;the house was full of vile smells
+    and of confusion and disorder&mdash;the house-door stood ajar&mdash;one or two
+    dragoons lay sleeping heavily on the ground. I went up again to tell
+    my aunt, and found her straightening my uncle like a corpse. At the
+    same moment a dragoon came up behind me. He was going to recommence the
+    disturbance, when I pointed to the bed, and said, sternly, "See what you
+    have done. You may now go away satisfied with having made this lately
+    peaceful family completely wretched. God grant you forgiveness ere you
+    are laid out like those cold remains."
+</p>
+<p>
+    The dragoon looked confounded. He muttered something, turned on his
+    heel, said something to his companions below, and we presently saw them
+    run out of the house. I went and shut the door. On returning I saw my
+    uncle was not dead. Their thinking him so was a mercy, since it gave
+    him a little respite. He was too weak to be moved, but he begged me to
+    return home and tell what had happened to my parents: adding, as I left
+    him, "Do not make the affair worse than it is." I thought it would be
+    difficult to do that.
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER V.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    THE PASSPORT.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    When I reached home it was some hours after sunrise. The dragoons, just
+    recalled from the Spanish frontier, where they were no longer wanted,
+    were spreading themselves over the country with the express commission
+    to harass the Huguenot inhabitants as much as possible, short of death,
+    but had not yet reached Nismes.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I entered my father's house. Contrary to custom, he was not at the
+    factory, but awaiting my return. He rose when I appeared, and stood
+    silently looking at me, while my mother put her hands on my shoulders,
+    and looked piteously in my face.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Son, thou hast been out all night."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "At my uncle's, mother. He was ill in bed; the dragoons were there; and
+    my aunt begged me to stay as a safeguard."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You did quite right to comply, my boy," said my father, heartily.
+    "I trust the dragoons did not misuse thy good uncle."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I know not what you call misusing," replied I, "if beating their
+    drums round his bed all night did not deserve that term. They almost
+    killed him with their clamor&mdash;ate everything in the house&mdash;called for
+    more&mdash;reviled my aunt&mdash;scrambled for her money&mdash;broke open the cellar,
+    and drank every drop it contained."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I spoke this so fast as to be almost unintelligible; they listened in
+    silent dismay. My father, then bidding me be seated, desired me to go
+    over the whole matter from the beginning, with composure and method.
+    Having drunk a cup of water, I did so; and we then held a family
+    council, in which it was decided that my uncle, in his precarious
+    health, would probably sink under a similar attack of the dragoons,
+    and that it would be expedient for me to return to him at dusk with a
+    covered cart, well supplied with hay, and to place him thereon and bring
+    him back with me, to be kept at our house, in secresy and safety, till
+    he should be able to escape from the kingdom&mdash;"though this would have
+    been an easier matter to effect," observed my father, "before he had
+    made himself personally obnoxious to the bishop."
+</p>
+<p>
+    My father then went to his daily business at the silk-factory, while I
+    remained behind awhile with my mother, to assist her in clearing out a
+    loft for my uncle's reception, the entrance to which could be concealed.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I then paid a hasty visit to Madeleine, whom I found bathed in tears,
+    as she had learnt from my mother that I had been away all night; and
+    though this at another time would have occasioned no alarm, yet at
+    a season of so much uneasiness she had foreboded some sad calamity.
+    My sudden appearance caused a fresh flow of tears, but they were of
+    thankfulness for my safety. A few tender words reassured her. I then
+    gave her a short account of what had passed, taking care, as my uncle
+    desired me, not to make things worse than they were. But still it was
+    evident that he was marked for the victim of a persecution he was not
+    in a condition to support; and as Madeleine had a sincere regard for
+    him, which his character justly merited, she commended me for standing
+    by him, and rejoiced that I was going to fetch him to our house.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We have not been quite undisturbed, even during your short absence,"
+    said she. "Our evening service was yesterday interrupted, just as the
+    congregation were in the middle of a psalm, by several officials rudely
+    entering the temple, and commanding us to desist, because the Host was
+    being carried by."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "In the temper in which those in authority seem to be at present," said
+    I, "it is to be feared that things will grow worse before they mend."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Meanwhile, remember your father's admonition, I entreat you," said
+    Madeleine; "and, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Rely on it, sweet Madeleine," said I. "I am a man of peace, not of war."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Cheered by my little interview with her, I proceeded to my usual work,
+    and, after supping with my family, stole quietly forth on my mission.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I reached the neighboring town without misadventure, and, leaving the
+    cart out of sight, raised my uncle's latch and went in. He and my aunt
+    had the house to themselves (for their only servant had gone to her
+    friends); and she was sitting on the bed, supporting his head on her
+    shoulder.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Here's Jacques," said she, looking up.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Jacques, my good lad," said my uncle, holding out his feeble hand,
+    "I thank you for this visit, and yet more for staying with us last
+    night."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You have not noticed any of the dragoons lurking about outside,
+    I hope?" said my aunt, anxiously.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No," said I, "all seems quiet at present; but there is no knowing
+    when they will return, and my parents have sent me to fetch you away.
+    My mother declares she shall know no peace till she has you under her
+    roof."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My good boy, I can no more go to her than I can fly," said my uncle.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh yes, uncle, you can. I have brought you a nice covered cart, filled
+    with hay, on which you will lie quite easily, and I will carry you down
+    to it on my back."
+</p>
+<p>
+    My uncle and aunt were most thankful for this, and, after very little
+    preparation, closed the shutters of the little dwelling, and turned the
+    key on it. My uncle was made tolerably comfortable, with my aunt seated
+    beside him; and in this way we stealthily quitted the neighborhood.
+    I could hear uproarious voices in the distance, and occasionally a faint
+    scream or wail, but gradually left these painful sounds behind. To say
+    truth, I was by no means sure of our performing this journey in safety,
+    and had many alarms by the way; and as for my uncle, my aunt afterwards
+    told me he was in prayer the whole of the way, to which might probably
+    be ascribed our safety; for ours is a God that heareth prayer, not
+    when it is a mere babble of words, in a language we do not understand,
+    repeated over and over again, and made a merit of; but His ears are
+    attent unto the cry of the contrite heart, and the prayer of them that
+    are sorrowful.
+</p>
+<p>
+    It was far into the night, or rather near morning, when we reached our
+    journey's end. My father cautiously admitted us; my mother received the
+    fugitives with the tenderest affection. A hot supper awaited them, after
+    partaking which they were thankful to retire to the loft; and not even
+    the children were to know they were there, and the youngest of our two
+    servants had been sent to her home; for my father told me that the
+    dragoons were expected to pay us a visit shortly, when the premises
+    would doubtless be ransacked; "and since your uncle has borne the
+    journey better than might have been expected," said he, "the sooner
+    we can get him out of the country the better."
+</p>
+<p>
+    He then told me what plans he had been devising for this purpose, and
+    that if my uncle were equal to it on the morrow, I should set him and my
+    aunt on their way to a certain point, which, if they reached in safety,
+    they would then be cared for.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "The greatest difficulty," said he, "is about a passport; but that may
+    possibly be procured on the frontier, for the great object of government
+    seems to be to chase all our godly ministers out of the kingdom, that
+    their flocks, deprived of their strengthening exhortations, may fall an
+    easier prey."
+</p>
+<p>
+    While he thus spoke, a noise at the door, as if some one were hammering
+    on it with his fist, made us start.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Who's there?" said my father, without withdrawing the bolt.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Your neighbor Romilly," returned the other; and we, knowing his voice,
+    let him in.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Neighbor, I have traveled far and fast," said he, "and would not go
+    home without looking in to tell you the bad news. They are carrying
+    things hardly at Arles and Uséz, and you had better warn M. Chambrun
+    he is in danger."
+</p>
+<p>
+    My father changed countenance.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "He and his wife are with us at this moment," said he.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "They must depart, then," said Romilly, "and without loss of time, or
+    she will not be allowed to go with him. See, here is a passport," said
+    he, dubiously smiling, "which will do for him as well as the person for
+    whom it was intended. He shall have it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We thanked him warmly, and after a little more eager talk, he hurried
+    homeward. Day was now breaking, and I threw myself on my bed for a short
+    sleep. When I awoke, my dear mother was beside me.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Your uncle is awake, and talking to your father," said she, softly. "He
+    refuses the passport, because it was not made out for himself, saying he
+    will not do an evil that good may come."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "This is sheer madness," said I, springing up.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "It is consistency," said my mother. "We are now on the brink of a great
+    struggle between the powers of light and darkness. Those who feel they
+    have no strength of their own to meet it with, and do not care to seek
+    it from above, will probably give in at the very first word&mdash;certainly
+    do so sooner or later; but those whose adhesion to God's cause is of any
+    worth, will brace themselves for the encounter, knowing that He can and
+    will arm them for the fight."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You approve my uncle's making a point of conscience, then, of this?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I must say I do, though your father is angry with him for it. Perhaps,
+    during the day, we may yet get him a proper passport; for if the
+    authorities are so anxious to get rid of our godly ministers, surely
+    they will not hinder their departure. However that may be, you are to
+    convey your uncle and aunt towards the coast tonight."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "She goes with him, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "She will not leave him. They have lost all their money, but we have
+    made a little purse for them. Oh, my child, what times are these! You
+    have scarcely had any rest these two nights; but do not forget to say
+    your morning prayers."
+</p>
+<p>
+    And kissing my forhead, she left me, that I might obey her injunction.
+</p>
+<p>
+    It may be said that trade was at a standstill that day. The weaver at
+    his loom, the jeweler behind his counter, the baker at his
+    kneading-trough, all thought and talked but of one subject, the expected
+    visitation of the dragoons.
+</p>
+<p>
+    My father, with vexation, gave me back the passport, saying, "Your uncle
+    will not use it, so you must return it to Romilly."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Romilly raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders when I did so,
+    saying, "What will he do, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I know not. Take his chance, I suppose."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Here, take you it," said he, thrusting it into my pocket "He may be
+    glad of it at the end."
+</p>
+<p>
+    It was a sad day. Mothers were weeping over their new-born infants; men
+    were talking to one another in anger and sorrow. The Catholics were
+    already carrying their heads high, and smiling scornfully as we passed
+    them. I thought, "Oh that we were in a desert, all to ourselves, with
+    none to impugn our faith!" But then I called to mind that without
+    needing to be in a desert, people might dwell in happy countries where
+    each man's faith is respected and tolerated. I hoped my uncle would
+    safely reach one of these happy countries; but yet one's native land is
+    very dear after all!
+</p>
+<p>
+    Twilight came; the parting took place amid tears and embraces and
+    benedictions; and soon I was driving my good uncle and aunt towards the
+    coast. We had gone some miles, when a man, scarcely distinguishable in
+    the dark, emerged from a corner and said, "Who goes there?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    I was greatly alarmed, but my uncle, recognizing the voice, said, "Oh,
+    Joseph, is it thou? Whither art thou bound?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Fleeing for my life," said Joseph, "as I take it you are doing. It is
+    well you have escaped, though I cannot make out how you come to be so
+    far on the road. I have just left your neighborhood; the dragoons are
+    turning your house out of window."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Give him a lift, Jacques," said my uncle to me; "the poor man is
+    weary." Finding him to be one of my uncle's flock, I readily did so;
+    the more that his tone and words betokened honesty.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Sir, you are doubtless going to join your brother-ministers," said
+    Joseph. "Have you a passport?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I have not, but I hope to get one on the frontier, or find some other
+    path open to me," said my uncle.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Let us trust the 'other path' may open, then," said Joseph, "for most
+    vexatious obstacles are being thrown in the way of our ministers on the
+    frontier; they are either refused passports altogether, or such as they
+    are provided with are declared worthless."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Romilly's passport, then, will be no good," thought I, and I was musing
+    on the moral advantage to my uncle of his having refused to use it from
+    the first, when Joseph in alarm cried&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Hist&mdash;I hear some one galloping hard after us. Let us whip on as fast
+    as we can."
+</p>
+<p>
+    But we had just reached the foot of a heavy ascent, and the pursuer
+    gained upon us, and presently came up panting.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Is Minister Chambrun here?" cried he, breathlessly.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Who are you that ask?" returned I. At the same instant my uncle cried&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes, here I am. What is it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What a dance you have led me!" cried the messenger. "I come from the
+    commissioner, who sends you a passport, and desires you to go to
+    Bordeaux as fast as you can."
+</p>
+<p>
+    What a smile broke over my uncle's face!
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Said I not," cried he, joyfully, "that a path would doubtless open for
+    me? Henceforth, my children, never distrust the Lord."
+</p>
+<p>
+    His course was now altered. Instead of making for the nearest coast,
+    now within a few miles, on the borders of the Mediterranean, he decided
+    to proceed with all convenient speed to Montauban, where my aunt had
+    friends, thence down the Garonne, and so to Bordeaux. I could but set
+    him on his way and trust his future course to the same good Providence
+    that had hitherto protected him. My aunt was decided to follow his
+    fortunes, happen what would.
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER VI.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    TRIAL BY FIRE.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    Day was far spent before I got back, my horse having gone lame. There
+    seemed unusual disturbance in the town; I distinguished a distant hum of
+    many voices, and all at once a shrill cry that made me shudder, followed
+    by the passionate wailing of children, and the incessant barking of
+    dogs. I took the back way to our house, where lay our stable, and
+    entering the little yard, saw to my dismay six or eight cavalry horses
+    standing in it. I sprang from my cart and hurried into the house, on the
+    threshold of which my little brother Charles met me all in tears, and
+    cried, "Oh, they're burning mamma!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    I burst into the kitchen; there was a roaring fire on the hearth, which
+    a dragoon was feeding with handfuls of paper torn from our great family
+    Bible; but there were also great billets of wood burning, which threw
+    out intense heat, and close in front of it was placed my mother, penned
+    in with heavy pieces of furniture, while two dragoons in front of her
+    were thrusting their clenched fists in her face, saying, "Now then, you
+    obstinate woman! will you roast like a pig, or say where he is gone?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    My mother looked immovable as stone, but directly I entered, I saw her
+    change countenance a little. My father lay on the ground, bound hand and
+    foot, while a dragoon was preparing to beat him with a heavy bridle.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, ah, here is the young cub," cried they as I entered; "here is the
+    young fellow that was attending on his uncle!" Then, with more bad
+    language than I choose to repeat, they bade me tell where I had carried
+    him, unless I would see my mother roasted alive.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Out of your reach," said I, boldly; "so now let my mother go free," and
+    springing towards her, I released her before they could throw themselves
+    upon me. The next minute, we were rolling on the ground, but, as my
+    mother for the moment was safe, I did not mind the blows I was getting,
+    but returned them with a fire-iron that lay within reach. I dealt blows
+    with such a will that for a time I had the advantage, never ceasing to
+    shout, "Never fear, mother! All's safe! he's on the wide sea. Fly with
+    the children and leave me to deal with these gentry."
+</p>
+<p>
+    This so enraged them that they redoubled their violence; no wonder,
+    then, that I was got down at last, bound hand and foot, and my feet made
+    bare to receive the bastinado. Before they laid it on, they put the
+    question to me:
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Wilt thou now, then, recant thine accursed doctrines?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What doctrines?" said I, to gain time.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Those that are falsely called reformed."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh yes, all that are falsely called reformed."
+</p>
+<p>
+    They stood at pause on this, and looked at one another.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "He gives in," muttered one.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Not a bit," replied another. "He is only lying."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well but, mark you, that's no matter of ours," said the first.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I tell you it is!" roared the second, pushing him aside. "Let me take
+    him in hand. You don't know how to question him." Then accosting me, in
+    a defiant sort of way (he was far from sober), he said,
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Hark ye, young man. Now answer for your life. Give us no double
+    meanings. What is your religion?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That which was brought us and taught us by our Lord Jesus Christ."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Do you believe in St. Peter?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Of course."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "And in the Virgin Mother of God?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "The angel Gabriel called her blessed among women."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But do you worship her?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I reverence her, and worship her Divine Son."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Do you worship her, I say?" threatening me with the stirrup-leather.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Son, son," put in my father.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Silence, old man!" and they hit him on the mouth.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Do you worship her?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I do not."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Then they beat the soles of my feet, till my father in anguish cried,
+    "Oh, I cannot bear this&mdash;" but had to bear it. And so had I. But on
+    their burning my soles with a red-hot iron, a merciful Providence took
+    me out of their hands, by bringing me insensibility. How long they
+    pursued their barbarities after I fainted, I know not; but when I came
+    to myself, it was in cold and darkness, lying in the open street, where
+    I suppose they had cast me, thinking me dead. How long a time must have
+    passed! for the stars were shining above me. Where were my parents, my
+    brothers and sisters? I tried to raise myself a little and look around,
+    but was beaten and bruised so that I was in agonies of pain, and sank
+    back on the ground. The cold made my wounded feet smart indescribably;
+    but while, with closed eyes, I was inwardly murmuring, "Lord, help thy
+    poor servant, for I cannot help myself;" something that made me wince
+    with pain, but the next moment gave exquisite relief, was applied to
+    the soles of my feet, and the next instant I heard the hushed voices of
+    those who were dearest to me on earth, my mother and Madeleine "Can it
+    be that we are too late?" said Madeleine. "No, his pulse yet beats,
+    though as feebly as possible. Oh, what he must have suffered, and how
+    I love him for not having given in!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    In pain though I was, a smile of joy broke over my face on this, and
+    I opened my eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Praise the Lord, he revives!" said my mother. "How art thou, my son?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I shall do well, my mother&mdash;," but I could not speak another word.
+    I closed my eyes, and felt about to faint.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Jacques, dear Jacques," said Madeleine, whispering energetically and
+    distinctly, close to my ear, "be of good courage, and God will help
+    thee. I have found a place of safety in the vaults of Les Arènes,
+    whither Gabrielle has already taken the children; and now, if you can
+    but master the pain enough to get there with such help as we can give
+    you, before the dragoons return, we shall all be safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh, most certainly I will," said I, trying to rise; but when I
+    attempted to set my feet to the ground, I was in such anguish that
+    I nearly fell down; but what will not "needs must" effect? The poor
+    galley-slaves at Marseilles and Dunkirk can tell how, when it seems
+    impossible for them to pull another stroke, the taskmaster's whip,
+    mercilessly applied, proves that they not only can pull still, but pull
+    well too. I am ashamed to say how these two beloved women had almost to
+    carry me, a stout youth; and even all their strength might have been
+    insufficient but for the potent spur of the dragoons' return. With an
+    arm round the neck of each, and resting almost my entire weight on their
+    shoulders, I managed to scuffle along, very slowly and with fearful
+    pain, towards Les Arènes. We paused now and then, under the deep shadow
+    of a wall, for me to regain my strength. I was astonished at my mother's
+    utter forgetfulness of herself in her care for me; and said, "Were you
+    much burnt, my mother?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No, my son; no," she answered, cheerfully; but in truth she was sadly
+    seared and blistered, and her heroism under suffering might be likened
+    to that of the martyrs of old.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What took place after I fainted?" said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "They believed you were dead, and threw you into the road," said my
+    mother, "saying they hoped the dogs would come and lick your blood like
+    Ahab's. After that a trumpet was blown, and there seemed something going
+    on in the town, and they all ran off. The children had meanwhile taken
+    refuge with Madeleine; and I then took the opportunity of raising your
+    father, after cutting his bonds, and sending him off to the factory,
+    whence he was to return with men to carry you away, but they have never
+    come, and I fear some mischief may have befallen him. I would fain have
+    gone to see, but you were my first object. I could not carry you, and
+    went to Madeleine for help. She had just gone with Gabrielle and the
+    children to Les Arènes; but while I was preparing bandages and a
+    liniment for your poor feet, she returned and accompanied me back."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Madeleine is a good angel," said I, pressing my arm more closely to
+    her.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What is your case to-day, may be ours to-morrow," said she.
+</p>
+<p>
+    We continued our painful and tedious course, "lurking in the thievish
+    corners of the streets," like evil-doers, if we saw any one coming. The
+    moon was dangerously bright, but the shadows were proportionately dark,
+    and at length we reached Les Arènes, with their depths of mysterious
+    shadow, and solemn pillars and arches silvered by the white beams.
+    Though the amphitheatre is in the heart of the city, the neighborhood
+    seemed unusually deserted. People had fled, or were cowering in
+    hiding-places, or were flocking to see what was going on elsewhere.
+    I cannot otherwise account for it. Only that as we passed near the
+    house of good old Monsieur de Laccassagne, we could hear the abominable
+    uproar of drums within it, and it would seem as if all the drummers in
+    Nismes must have been congregated to drive the poor old gentleman to
+    distraction. We had also seen in the distance, floods of light streaming
+    from the windows of the cathedral, and heard a strange murmur of cries,
+    and we afterwards learnt that multitudes of poor people of the baser
+    sort had been driven like oxen or silly sheep into the church, pricked
+    on by the dragoons' swords and shouts of "Kill! kill!" to be present
+    at mass.
+</p>
+<p>
+    But now, as we gained a spot where, at the end of a street, we could
+    gain a distant glimpse of our factory, we perceived the sky red with
+    flurid flames bursting from it.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "The factory is on fire!" I exclaimed.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Then my mother wrung her hands, crying, "Oh, my husband! you are ruined,
+    perhaps sacrificed! I must go in quest of thee, and leave my son with a
+    faithful friend."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Then she hastened off towards the factory, and I could not blame her
+    nor wonder at her, though my heart misgave me that she might fall into
+    mischief.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Madeleine's support was insufficient for me now; but I set my teeth like
+    a flint, and commanded the pain I was in every time I set foot to the
+    ground. Was it not alleviation enough to have her dear arm for my stay,
+    and her tender hand wiping from my brow the drops forced forth by my
+    suffering?
+</p>
+<p>
+    Then we came to some steps. These gave me much trouble to descend,
+    especially as we were so nearly in the dark, but Madeleine seemed to
+    know them pretty well.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I have often been here already," whispered she, "only not after dark,
+    and have laid in stores of many things necessary for our subsistence."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We were now groping along a chill stone passage, and were presently
+    brought up by a wall right in front, against which we violently hit
+    our heads.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I fear I have missed the way," said Madeleine, in alarm. "Hark! I hear
+    the children laughing. Nothing damps the spirits at their age."
+</p>
+<p>
+    The next turn brought us to the entrance of a chamber, or rather den,
+    for it had probably been built for wild beasts, and formerly tenanted
+    by them. A ruddy fire burned in the middle, and circles of smoke escaped
+    through crannies and fissures, for of course there was no chimney.
+    A savory steam arose from a large black pot suspended over this fire,
+    and round it was gathered a motley and unruly group, not Gabrielle and
+    the children, but of tramps, gipsies, peddlers, and very likely thieves.
+    Swarthy Morescoes, Basques, I know not how many nations, were there
+    represented. They were singing, carousing, and making much noise.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Here's a pretty lady," cried a gipsy woman, as Madeleine shrank back
+    affrighted.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Welcome, welcome!" cried one or two voices. "Come and make one of us."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Not so fast," said a dissentient voice. "There's a young man with her.
+    How do we know he is not a spy?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Good sir, I am lame on both feet," said I, and was turning away with
+    Madeleine, both of us anxious to plunge into the darkness, out of their
+    sight, when a threatening, swarthy man, of great strength, prevented our
+    departure.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You are neither of you going," said he, defiantly, "till you give some
+    account of yourselves and your object."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We are harmless people; we have only mistaken our way," interposed
+    Madeleine.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Soho! Only mistaken your way? And how come harmless people to be abroad
+    at this time of night, groping about among the vaults of Les Arènes?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    Before there was time to answer, a tall, lean man in black, with a
+    bottle in his hand, which he had just removed from his lips, came
+    forward from a corner, and said. "Hold, there, enough has been said.
+    I know this young man, and, I dare say, this young maiden. We are
+    very good friends. Don't you remember me?" looking sharply at me.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Not exactly," said I, straining my memory.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh, come, don't deny it. Last time you had the best of it; this time
+    I have. Don't you remember the Fair of Beaucaire?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes, of course, sir," said Madeleine, readily, "and your beautiful
+    needles and pins and pretty equipage."
+</p>
+<p>
+    The needle-vender looked pleased, and said, "You have a better memory
+    than the young fellow; however, I owe him a good turn. You saved me from
+    the hoofs of le Docteur Jameray's horse, and lent me your handkerchief.
+    I have had it in keeping for you ever since," drawing it from his
+    breast. Then, turning to his companions, he said, "Excuse me; I attend
+    these young persons a little way. They are friends, and the young man
+    is ill."
+</p>
+<p>
+    In fact, my head swam round, and I swooned again, and have no
+    remembrance but of a confused babble of sounds. When I came to,
+    Madeleine and the needle-seller, whose name was La Croissette, were
+    conveying me between them; or, in fact, he was chiefly carrying me, and
+    she supporting my feet. I said, "Set me down, I'll try to walk," but
+    found I could not. Then she said, "Wait here; I'll run on a little, and
+    find where Gabrielle is."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I would have stayed her, but she was gone. La Croissette said, "You seem
+    in trouble; what is it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    I said, "Don't you know the dragoons are in Nismes? They have tried to
+    burn my mother, have bound and beaten my father, destroyed our property,
+    and cudgelled and burnt me till I cannot stand."
+</p>
+<p>
+    He drew in his breath, and said, "Any one of those things is trouble
+    enough. Is that pretty girl your sister?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No; my affianced wife."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "And you have taken to Les Arènes for safety, and left your father and
+    mother behind?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Not willingly, you may be sure. My mother and Madeleine half carried me
+    hither. Then we saw my father's silk factory in flames, and she ran to
+    find him."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Madeleine here returned, and said, encouragingly, "I have found where
+    they are; it is a very little way, and they look so comfortable!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    With her help and La Croissette's I dragged myself along, and though it
+    seemed a long way off, we got there at last; and very snug did the old
+    vault look, with the little brazier and the lamp, and the curtain to
+    keep off the draught, and food and bedding on the floor. I sank down on
+    the straw they had prepared for me, and never was couch of down more
+    grateful to a luxurious man than this poor pallet to me. La Croissette
+    viewed the whole party with keenness, then, putting his bottle to my
+    lips, said, "Take this; there's a little left." Whatever it was, it
+    revived me; and then he nodded, said "Bon soir," and went away.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I now became anxious for my parents, though Madeleine assured me they
+    knew the way to our retreat. A long time passed; the children fell
+    asleep; we remained in anxious suspense. At length we heard footsteps.
+    Were they of friend or foe? Madeleine went out to see. I could not bear
+    her taking on herself every office that ought to devolve upon me, but
+    could not help it. In a few instants she guided my father and mother
+    into our dungeon, holding a hand of each. As they entered, the red
+    fire-light leaped up and showed their grave faces. The first thing my
+    father did, after taking us in at a glance, was to say, "Children, let
+    us pray!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    Even the little ones, roused from their slumber, and but half awake,
+    put up their hands. My mother and the girls knelt; my father stood.
+    His prayer began with earnest thanksgiving that we were all together
+    again, and that, though his worldly substance had been taken from him,
+    there was no loss of life or limb. Then he returned hearty thanks that,
+    in this our day of spiritual trial and temptation, there had been no
+    apostacy, no temporizing cowardice, no falling short. But, he added,
+    he knew, and we all knew, that this was but the beginning of sorrows;
+    that many a sore trial and temptation remained behind; that we had
+    no strength of our own wherewith to meet it; but that there was
+    all-sufficient strength in the great Captain of our salvation. Then
+    he prayed the Lord to give us his strength, sufficient for our day,
+    whatever it might be, even as He had strengthened Daniel in the lions'
+    den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and Peter
+    and Paul and Silas in prison, and John in Patmos; and that we might have
+    grace to rejoice at being accounted worthy to suffer for his name's
+    sake, and be strengthened to bear testimony even before kings if need
+    were; and to cast all our burden upon Him, not caring much for the
+    things of this life, knowing that he could reduplicate them if it
+    were his will, at any time, as he had done to Job.
+</p>
+<p>
+    While he thus prayed, an ineffable calm and sweetness took possession of
+    me, my eyes involuntarily closed, or, if opened at intervals, only saw
+    vague, uncertain forms, and thus a deep, deep sleep fell on me, without
+    even a dream, that lulled all sense of pain, and loss, and fear, and
+    sorrow, until morning.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "For so he giveth his beloved sleep." Words how beautiful, and true, and
+    reassuring! They that expend all their little strength for him, and lay
+    their little substance at his feet, are his beloved. There is no need
+    to be afraid we are not; we know it; we feel it; we have the witness in
+    ourselves, just as the child, nestling in his father's arms, knows that
+    he loves and is beloved. I have heard persons say, "Have you the faith
+    of assurance?" Yes, thank God, I have it, and have had it ever since He
+    was first graciously pleased to call me to Him, and that was long, long
+    ago. But all have not this faith; just as a man, wanting to go to
+    Bordeaux, may not be assured he is on the road to Bordeaux, and yet he
+    may be on the way thither nevertheless. Then if you have not the faith
+    of assurance, practise at least the faith of adherence. That, at least,
+    is in your own power. Cleave to God exactly as if you were certain of
+    being accepted by Him at last; and thus, fulfilling his own conditions,
+    you will be accepted by Him whether you are assured of it beforehand or
+    not. "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out."
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER VII.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    LA CROISSETTE.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    How chill and painful was my awaking! The soles of my feet were raw
+    with so much walking after they were blistered, and the inflammation
+    irritated my whole frame, which was likewise stiffened with so much
+    beating. When I opened my eyes, I saw the anxious face of my dear
+    mother, as she examined my wounds, and prepared with light hand to dress
+    them. Nor would anybody have guessed she herself was terribly burnt, had
+    not one of the children, inadvertently running against her, caused a
+    sudden wince, but without any audible expression of pain. The thought
+    of what she was enduring with such stoicism, or rather, let me say,
+    with such Christianity, enabled me, better than any stimulant would
+    have done, to endure without murmuring; and she said to me, with strong
+    approval in her kind eyes, "Your wounds tell me, my poor boy, how much
+    you have to bear; therefore there is no need to cry out. Our light
+    affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
+    exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes, that is true indeed," said my father, "and things might have gone
+    much worse with us."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Can you say that, my father," said I, "when you have lost all?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I have not lost all," replied he. "Before the factory was attacked,
+    I had time to disperse the workmen, dispatch a hasty line to an English
+    correspondent, and secrete certain bills of exchange; so that if we can
+    but find our way to England we shall, indeed, have to begin life again,
+    but with God's blessing, shall not fare badly. And with that blessing,
+    my son, we shall not fare badly even here."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No, indeed, father." And as I spoke I looked towards where the
+    lamp-light (for we had no other) fell on the bending head of Madeleine,
+    as she talked in a low voice to the children, and kept them amused.
+    Not a glimpse of the sun's light could penetrate our refuge, and thus
+    it always seemed night with us when, in fact, it was bright day.
+    Doubtless this was tedious to all; but no one, even the children, so
+    much as murmured at it, except Gabrielle, who was inexpressibly wearied,
+    and now and then gave a long yawn, which set others yawning, and
+    procured her a good-humored rebuke.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "How long is this to last?" said she.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Till the dragoons find us out, perhaps," said my father, gravely; which
+    silenced her for a little while.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Our provisions will not last long," said she presently.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Then we must procure more," said my mother. "We have enough for the
+    present."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes, we have cheese and wine and flour; but what good is flour unless
+    it is cooked?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Do not make mountains of molehills, Gabrielle," said Madeleine, aside;
+    "it is such a bad example for the children."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, but they are not molehills," returned Gabrielle, in rather a
+    lower tone, which, however, we could hear well enough. "I suppose we
+    cannot starve."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Has your endurance so soon ceased, my dear girl?" said my father.
+    "Think of the believers of old. They had trials of cruel mockings and
+    scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned;
+    they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they
+    wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted,
+    tormented (of whom the world was not worthy); they wandered in deserts
+    and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And yet none of
+    these, though they obtained a good report in God's own word for their
+    faith, had received the explicit promises through Christ, God having
+    provided those better things for us; wherefore we surely should be
+    ashamed to show less constancy than they did."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh, of course," said Gabrielle.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Think of what Jacques is bearing without a murmur," said Madeleine.
+    "I'm sure he sets an example to us all."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "And as to minding what we eat," said little Charles, "I'm sure I don't
+    mind it a bit. Do I, mamma?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh, if you are all going to be against me, I shall say no more," said
+    Gabrielle.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That's right," said my mother. "Put a brave heart on it, my dear;
+    I know you have it in you."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Gabrielle bit her lip, but took out a comb, and began to arrange little
+    Louison's hair. "Now," she whispered, "I'll make you as smart as the
+    young lady we saw with Madame de Laccassagne;" and in this way she
+    amused herself and the child, talking nonsense with her, and inventing
+    imaginary scenes and people, all in a hushed voice, that my father might
+    not hear.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Suddenly, some one at the entrance of our dungeon wishing us "Bon jour,"
+    made us start violently and look towards him in alarm.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You need not shrink from me," said La Croissette, advancing among us
+    when he had looked around. "I may not be as good as yourselves, or I
+    may be&mdash;that's neither here nor there. I'm not quite a bad fellow, I
+    believe, though at times I am driven to keep indifferent company. Still,
+    I am not very fond of those I'm among at present, so I thought I'd look
+    in on you. Your servant, sir," to my father. "A votre service, madame,"
+    very politely to my mother. "You were not here last night, when your son
+    and that young lady rather unexpectedly looked in on us. To speak the
+    truth, there are reasons why some of us don't relish being looked in
+    on unexpectedly."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Quite natural," said my father; "no more do we."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, but you need not be afraid of me," said La Croissette, "I'm no
+    traitor, I! It might be rash, though, to say as much of some of my
+    companions, and therefore I advise you not to be too familiar with
+    them."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My good friend, we have not the least intention of being so."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Age is wary, and youth is full of trust," said La Croissette. "Not
+    knowing that you, respected sir, and you, madame, were here to look
+    after the younger persons, I ventured to do so myself, to bid them
+    beware of their neighbors."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That was very friendly, and I thank you heartily for it," said my
+    father.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Shall you remain here long?" said La Croissette.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That depends entirely on circumstances."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Doubtless you are hiding from the dragoons."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Is it necessary to tell you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Why, no; but you might do so without fear. I have no love for them
+    myself, but nothing to fear; I am certainly not a Huguenot; but neither
+    would I betray one. Come, I see you would rather I went away. I am going
+    into town. There is nothing I can do for you, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Nothing; we thank you very much."
+</p>
+<p>
+    When he was gone, Gabrielle exclaimed, "Now that is what I call an
+    opportunity wasted."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We must beware, my child, who we trust," said my mother.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Of course; but he was so evidently a harmless, good sort of man."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We had no occasion to trouble him."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Gabrielle plainly thought there was a good deal of occasion. Indeed,
+    had she known she was actually doomed to spend a few days in the
+    vaults of Les Arènes, I am persuaded she would have fitted them up
+    with upholstery and eatables, even to pickles and preserves. Meanwhile
+    Madeleine was beguiling the time to the children by setting them easy
+    sums on the wall, scratched with a nail, and drawing pictures for them
+    with the same implement, accompanied with stories, as thus:&mdash;"Once on a
+    time there was a poor Christian captive in this very dungeon&mdash;here he is
+    (drawing his picture)&mdash;sentenced to be thrown to the lions (picture).
+    Once he had been a little boy like this (picture), fond of playing with
+    other little boys (picture), and ready to carry his mother's pitcher to
+    the well (picture), or sweep her floor (picture), or make himself useful
+    to her in any way whatever. One day,"&mdash;and so forth. Gabrielle's fancy
+    was tickled with this, and when Madeleine desisted she continued it,
+    though now and then with a furtive yawn. Meanwhile my father was
+    pondering over the papers he had about him, and sitting immersed in
+    thought, or now and then saying a little to my mother. By-and-by he
+    ventured out a little without quitting the precincts of the
+    amphitheatre, and returned, saying several tramps were loitering about,
+    whose attention it would not be prudent to attract. The day, which
+    seemed the longest I ever knew, at length drew to a close, which we only
+    learnt by my father's watch, for we were out of hearing of the town
+    clocks. He said it would make time pass less heavily if we divided it
+    methodically, and had our set hours for meals, rest, prayer, and mutual
+    improvement, whether by exhortation, discussion, or general discourse,
+    We followed his lead as well as we could, but our thoughts were chiefly
+    with the outer world.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Just after the women and children had retired for the night to a little
+    inner dungeon, La Croissette once more presented himself uninvited.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I thought, messieurs, you might like to hear the news of the day,"
+    said he.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Most certainly," said my father. "Pray be seated. I wish I had a better
+    seat to offer you. What is stirring?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "The news, then, is, that Nismes is being converted as fast as
+    possible," said La Croissette. "No persuader, sirs, like fire and sword.
+    Dragoons are quartered on every Protestant. They are destroying whatever
+    they cannot make booty of. Some are littering their fine black horses
+    with bales of broadcloth, silk, and cotton; others with fine Holland
+    cloths. The common people are being driven to church at the sword's
+    point, and conforming by shoals. The gentry give more trouble, but end
+    by coming round."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Some may&mdash;some weak-hearted persons," said my father, reluctantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, they may be weak-hearted; I'm sure I should be, in their place,"
+    said La Croissette. "In fact, what is it?&mdash;a mere form. They just slur
+    over a few words&mdash;cross themselves&mdash;kiss a relic, or some little matter
+    of that sort. No more is required; the bishop lets them off easy."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Will the Lord let them off easy?" said my father. "Christianity admits
+    of no such temporizing. The early Christians might have saved their
+    lives by burning a handful of incense before the Roman Emperor's statue;
+    but they did not hold it a mere form. And the Romanists admit in
+    principle what they dissent from in practice; for they almost deify
+    those early martyrs for their constancy to the truth, and yet would
+    martyr us for doing the very same thing."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, I don't mean them to martyr me," said La Croissette, "I've an
+    elastic creed, I!&mdash;it stretches or collapses like an easy stocking."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Beware, beware, my friend, of fancying a creed like that of any worth
+    at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Sir, we all have our weak points and our strong ones. I'm no polemic,
+    I!&mdash;I prefer meddling with things that will not bring me into trouble.
+    There was a factory burnt down last night&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah!" groaned my father.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Some say both the partners were burnt; others that one of them is at a
+    distance. Some think the factory was set on fire on purpose; others that
+    it was an accident. Nothing remains of it but the outer walls and a
+    smoking heap of ruins."
+</p>
+<p>
+    My father covered his face with his hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Then, again," pursued La Croissette, "that worthy old Monsieur
+    Laccassagne, unable to stand the deprivation of sleep any longer, has
+    conformed&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Has he, though!" cried my father, with a start. "Oh, how sad a fall!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Outwardly, only outwardly," said La Croissette. "The poor old gentleman
+    was driven almost out of his senses by that deafening drumming. 'You
+    shall have rest now,' said the bishop. 'Alas!' replied he, 'I look for
+    no rest on this side heaven; and may God grant that its doors may not be
+    closed against me by this act.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Poor old man! poor Monsieur Laccassagne!" ejaculated my father. "Well
+    might he say so."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes, but what reasonable person can suppose the doors of heaven will
+    be closed against him by it?" said La Croissette. "The Lord is a God of
+    mercy&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But will by no means clear the guilty," said my father.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "And He looketh not to the outward appearance, but to the heart," said
+    La Croissette.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That expression applies to the personal, bodily appearance, which none
+    of us can help," said my father, "not to the pretence of believing one
+    thing, when we believe, its opposite. I mourn over the backsliding of
+    my old friend. Better had it been to suffer affliction for a season.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "So the virtuous lady his wife thought," said La Croissette. "She
+    escaped in the disguise of a servant, and is now wandering in the open
+    fields."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, what sorrow! May the good Lord support her under it!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ay, and the many other women who are in similar case. Numbers of them
+    are at this instant cowering in the cold and darkness in ditches and
+    under hedges."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Monsieur Laccassagne might well say he could hope for no rest on this
+    side heaven," said my father, bitterly. "How can he rest, knowing that
+    his excellent wife, accustomed to every comfort, is now an outcast for
+    her faith&mdash;the faith which he has denied?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, I wish I could have brought you more cheerful news," said La
+    Croissette, rising. "In truth, you need it, in this dismal hole, to keep
+    up your spirits. Tell me, now, good sir, how long do you expect to be
+    able, you and yours, to hold out?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof," said my father. "Thanks be
+    to God, He does not require us to dwell on what may be in store for our
+    chastening. He says explicitly, 'Take no thought for the morrow&mdash;the
+    morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.' Words how kind and
+    how wise!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    This seemed to strike La Croissette a good deal. He remained in thought
+    a few minutes, and then said, "Well, it is time I should take my leave.
+    I respect you very much." Then, resuming his bantering tone, "Since
+    you are so willing to hazard the disturbance which poor old Monsieur
+    Laccassagne found it so hard to bear, I advise you to sleep day and
+    night while you are here, and lay in a good stock of repose against
+    the time when you will be deprived of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Stepping back again, just as he seemed going, he said, "You fancy
+    yourselves very safe here; and, indeed, the dragoons unless with a guide
+    to you, might possibly take some time to find you out; but depend on it,
+    Les Arènes will be well searched some day&mdash;perhaps very soon; it is too
+    well known as having been an old hiding-place. Every corner&mdash;this among
+    the rest&mdash;is known to outcasts, many of them of bad reputation, who, for
+    a morsel of bread, would give up St. Paul or St. Peter. All are not so,
+    however, and those I am now among have a kind of the honor which exists
+    among thieves. Do not depend too much on it, however."
+</p>
+<p>
+    And with this very unsatisfactory speech, he left us. My father, after
+    brooding on what he had said for some time, knelt down, and was long in
+    prayer: then he murmured, "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep:
+    for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." And I knew soon, by
+    his breathing, that he had indeed found rest in sleep. For me, I could
+    not close my eyes: the text that dwelt in my mind was, "My soul is
+    among lions." I thought of Madame Laccassagne and the other poor
+    women wandering in the fields, and pictured a thousand distressing
+    circumstances. Our solitary oil-lamp was beginning to languish for want
+    of trimming, and I thought, "What if it should leave us in darkness
+    altogether, and we should never know when it is day?" and dwelt on the
+    Egyptians in the plague of darkness, when none of them rose from his
+    place for three days. I was so feverish that it seemed to me a darkness
+    like that would madden me&mdash;I must dash my head against the wall, or do
+    something desperate; and I thought of Jonah in the whale's belly, when
+    the waters compassed him round about, and his soul fainted in that
+    hideous darkness; and again it was "three days." Then I thought, "Why
+    three days?" Was it because the Son of Man was three days in the heart
+    of the earth? And shall we remain here in this subterranean darkness
+    three days?
+</p>
+<p>
+    Just as the lamp seemed going out my loved mother stole out of the inner
+    dungeon, and trimmed it; then noiselessly stole to my side, and, seeing
+    my eyes open, smiled on me and kissed me, and then lay down beside my
+    father. Oh, the peace, the security of her presence! I sank into
+    dreamless sleep.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I was awakened by the most horrid noise I ever heard in my life. It
+    seemed like the roar of a lion close to my ear, and I started up in wild
+    affright, fancying myself a Christian prisoner about to be thrown to the
+    wild beasts. All around was dark as pitch&mdash;the lamp had gone out! The
+    frightful bellowing continued without intermission; and, besides, there
+    were sobs and screams, brutal laughter and cursing. Dreadful moment!
+    Presently a spark of light momentarily illumined our cell, and showed
+    the anxious face of my mother, as she re-kindled the lamp, surrounded by
+    the terrified children and girls, roused from their sleep by the hideous
+    uproar.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh, what is it?&mdash;what is it?" cried I. My mother's lips moved, but she
+    could not make herself heard. Having succeeded in lighting the lamp, she
+    came close to me, and said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+    "They seem to have put one of the bulls of La Camargue into the
+    adjoining den for the next bull-baiting, and to have lashed it to frenzy
+    with their goads. The noise is terrific, but I do not suppose the animal
+    can break loose."
+</p>
+<p>
+    La Croissette now appeared among us, suffocating with laughter. "Are you
+    frightened out of your lives?" said he. "'Tis nothing."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Nay, sir," said my mother, "'tis something, I think, to be raised up in
+    the middle of the night by such a dreadful noise."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Night? 'tis broad daylight! No wonder you were frightened. I can hardly
+    hear myself speak; but I felt impelled to come and see how you took it.
+    They have put an enormous bull in the adjoining den; and if you don't
+    like his company, you will have to change your quarters, which I advise
+    you to do at any rate; for the Basques who have him in charge are brutal
+    fellows, whose jargon I don't understand. Ten to one they will discover
+    you before the day's out; and then what will you do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Truly, our case is hard," said my mother, looking wistfully at my
+    father.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "It is so, my dear wife," replied he; "and I do not see my way clearly.
+    Let us ask God to make it a little clearer to us."
+</p>
+<p>
+    La Croissette looked amazed when he saw the whole family kneel down,
+    and made a movement to go, but paused at the entrance and looked back
+    on us. Though the bellowing still continued, it was neither so loud nor
+    so frequent; but still only snatches of my father's voice could be
+    heard. But his very look and attitude was a prayer; and there were the
+    two sweet sisters, with their clasped hands and bent heads, and the
+    little ones crowded about my mother. Now and then such broken sentences
+    were heard as&mdash;"Lord, thou hast been our refuge from one generation to
+    another&mdash;Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in
+    the light of thy countenance&mdash;The dead bodies of thy servants have they
+    given to be meat unto the fowls of the air, and the flesh of thy saints
+    to the beasts of the land&mdash;We are become an open shame to our enemies,
+    and a very scorn to them that hate us. Return, O Lord! how long? and let
+    it repent thee concerning thy servants&mdash;Oh, satisfy us with thy mercy,
+    and that soon; so will we rejoice, and give thanks to thee all the days
+    of our life&mdash;Make thy way plain before us, O Lord, because of our
+    enemies."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I could not help furtively watching the workings of La Croissette's
+    face as he listened to these words of the Psalmist, so appropriate and
+    pathetic. He started as if shot when touched by some one behind; and
+    the next instant M. Bourdinave stood among us.
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER VIII.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    PERSECUTED, YET NOT FORSAKEN.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    "My father!" exclaimed the girls, and flew into his arms. The next
+    instant the bellowing recommenced.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What is that?" cried M. Bourdinave, starting.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "One of the bulls intended for baiting," said my father.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, what a vicinity to find you in?" said M. Bourdinave.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Better, my dear friend, than the captives of old had in this very
+    dungeon. And now, what news? Where have you been?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I'd better go; I'm not wanted." muttered La Croissette, heard only by
+    me, and then retiring.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I bring the worst of news," returned M. Bourdinave, sitting down. "The
+    Edict of Nantes is revoked."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah!" and a general cry broke from us.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What signifies it," said my mother, bitterly, "when already its
+    provisions have been set at nought? Are we any the better for it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We may be yet worse for losing it," said M. Bourdinave. "Every Reformed
+    meeting-house in France is to be demolished; no private assemblages for
+    devotional purposes are to be allowed on any pretext whatever. All
+    Huguenot schools are to be suppressed; all children born of Huguenot
+    parents to be baptized and educated as Catholics; all non-conforming
+    ministers to quit the country within fifteen days, on pain of the
+    galleys."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Let us rise, my children," cried my father in great agitation, "and
+    leave this country, which is no longer a mother to us, shaking the dust
+    off our feet. Alas, what am I saying? Whither can we go?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "To England," replied M. Bourdinave. "I have already taken measures for
+    it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Heaven be praised!" cried we simultaneously.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But it will be under circumstances of great hardship, difficulty, and
+    danger."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Never mind; we willingly encounter them. Yes, yes," said one after
+    another.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Have you the courage, my daughters?" looking earnestly at them.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Madeleine threw herself into his arms.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I knew what your answer would be," said he, fondly kissing her; "but
+    my little Gabrielle&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh, fear me not, father," cried Gabrielle, hastily. "Anything to get
+    out of this horrid place. I believe I have seemed too impatient of it
+    to those around me, but that was because inaction is always so trying
+    to me."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My love, you may yet be exposed to it. I have known one of our brethren
+    put into a chest, with very few air-holes, and lowered into the hold of
+    a merchant-vessel, with considerable roughness, where he was left many
+    hours before he could be released."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Gabrielle changed color. "Never mind," said she, in a low voice, and
+    pressing her father's hand. "What man has done man may do, though I am
+    but a woman who say it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That's my brave girl!" fondly kissing her. "Well, my friends, if we
+    can but get to Bordeaux, we shall escape; that is provided for. It was
+    this which kept me from you so long. And what a return has been mine!
+    I got no answers from you to my letters; I heard the persecution here
+    was raging with fury; I came to snatch you from it, and found my home
+    deserted, the factory burnt, the workmen scattered, no tidings of you
+    to be found. At length I got news of you from one of the men, who told
+    me of your retreat, and that he, under cover of night, brought you
+    bread. We planned how to remove you hence to-night, but it must be in
+    detachments. At a place agreed on there will be a small cart that will
+    convey the children and perhaps their mother."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I prefer walking," interposed my mother. "Jacques is unable to do so."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Impossible! I am sure you have not the strength for it," said we all.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Never fear," said she, stoutly.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No, no; it must not be," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "And you, my son?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I will undertake for him," said La Croissette, who, it now appeared,
+    had been listening behind the doorway all this time.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Who are you, my man?" said M. Bourdinave, in surprise and some
+    distrust.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "An honest fellow, though I say it that shouldn't," was his answer.
+    "I am one of those who deal in deeds more than words. I cannot patter
+    Ave Marias with a Catholic, nor sing interminable psalms like a
+    Huguenot, but neither can I endure the ways the Catholics are taking to
+    compel the Huguenots to submission. I take my own way, d'ye see, and am
+    fettered by nobody. No one would molest La Croissette the needle-seller,
+    not even a dragoon. And I have learnt to esteem you all; I admire the
+    young ladies, and respect the old lady and gentleman. Therefore, there's
+    my hand; you may take it or not. 'Tis not over soft; but there's no
+    blood on it, and it never took a bribe. Let those say so who can.
+    And what I say next is this: Dr. Jameray has fallen sick, and I've
+    undertaken to drive his little wagon, with the sign of the bleeding
+    tooth, from hence to Montauban. As far as that I'll give my young friend
+    here a cast, and he may thence easily take boat down the Garonne to
+    Bordeaux. At least, if he cannot of himself, I'll manage it for him."
+</p>
+<p>
+    How grateful we were to the worthy La Croissette! Not one of us
+    distrusted him in the least; at any rate, if M. Bourdinave did so at
+    first, he was soon reassured by us, and took the honest fellow heartily
+    by the hand. A good deal more was now said than I have space to recount
+    or memory to recall. Indeed, my head was in a confused state, and I was
+    conscious of little but of the tender pressure of dear Madeleine's hand,
+    from whom I must so soon part.
+</p>
+<p>
+    We were to start as soon as night afforded us its friendly cover; but
+    some hours of daylight remained. My father and M. Bourdinave had many
+    business affairs to discuss, and Madeleine kept the children quiet,
+    that they might not interrupt them. I never thought Gabrielle so pretty
+    as now that she had spoken with resolution, and seemed strengthening
+    herself to keep up to it. Nevertheless, we have no real strength
+    of our own; it all comes from God; but He gives it to all who ask it
+    faithfully. Madeleine whispered to me, "Let us pray that strength for
+    her duty may be given her." I nodded and smiled.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Meanwhile my mother went out to the appointed place where, it seems,
+    Raoul had daily placed a loaf. We, who were not in the secret, had much
+    wondered where our bread came from, and how it lasted out. This time she
+    returned with a large sausage as well; so we ate our meal with gladness
+    and thankfulness of heart, La Croissette insisting on passing round his
+    bottle, which, somehow, he always kept well filled. And had this man had
+    a mind to betray us, how easily he might have done so! He overheard our
+    plans, might have drugged our wine, and stretched us all powerless;
+    might have told his comrades to make sport of us, and kept out of sight
+    himself; or might openly have led the dragoons to our hiding-place with
+    torches and weapons. Our blessed Lord had more reason, humanly speaking,
+    to trust Judas, than we to trust La Croissette; but you see this man was
+    honest; you could not have tempted him to sell us for thirty pieces of
+    silver.
+</p>
+<p>
+    When he went forth, though, after supper, my mind misgave me for a
+    while, thinking, "What if he be gone to betray us?" I wronged his worthy
+    heart. So many people are worse than we think them, that it is a comfort
+    when some prove better than we think them. Worthy La Croissette! I have
+    thy tall, meagre form and lantern jaws now before me. Many a showy
+    professor might be bettered by having as true a heart.
+</p>
+<p>
+    When he was gone, my father said, "Let us join once more in family
+    worship, and then get a little sleep before our night-journey begins."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I think he and M. Bourdinave and the children actually did sleep, but
+    not my mother or the girls. I certainly did not. My mother dressed and
+    bandaged my wounded feet for the last time. They were healing, but too
+    tender for walking or standing without injury to the newly-formed skin.
+    Then she sat beside me, with looks of love, and was presently joined
+    by Madeleine. We knew so well what was passing in each other's minds,
+    that we did not need to say much. Then my father awoke, with all his
+    faculties about him, looked at his watch, and said it was time to start.
+    M. Bourdinave went out, and after what seemed to our impatience rather a
+    long time, returned, and said Raoul reported unusual disturbance in the
+    city, but that now all was ready. We took leave of one another, agreed
+    on places of rendezvous (if we were ever enabled to reach them), and had
+    a valedictory prayer. Still they did not like to go and leave me without
+    La Croissette. At length he appeared, and, addressing my father, said:
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You had better avoid the precincts of your famous temple, La Calade: it
+    has been completely demolished, and crowds are yet hanging about their
+    beloved place of worship, regardless of danger, but the military will
+    presently disperse them."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, what desecration!" exclaimed my mother.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Keep your regrets for the sufferings of living people, my good lady,"
+    said La Croissette. "Stones have no feeling, and are not prone to
+    revenge insult. 'Tis said, walls have ears. The walls of La Calade have,
+    at all events, a tongue; for on the summit of the ruins lies a stone
+    with these words on it, 'Lo, this is the house of God; this is the gate
+    of heaven!'"
+</p>
+<p>
+    Then addressing my father, he said. "The very fact of the public
+    attention being drawn to this point makes other parts of the city
+    comparatively deserted, and therefore favors your escape. Lose no time,
+    I advise you, in availing yourselves of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We exchanged our last embraces in tears, and they went forth, he
+    following them. I felt inexpressibly lonely and sad.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Just as I was beginning to get uneasy at his absence, and to think,
+    "What if he should never come back?" he returned.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "They are safely off now," said he, "and little know what peril they
+    have been in here. Another twelve hours, and they would all have been
+    taken. Now, then, let us bestir ourselves, young man. They call you
+    Jacques; but I shall call you Jean, after my younger brother."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Helped on by him, I hobbled along, though in pain. How chill, but how
+    fresh and pleasant, felt the open air! It seemed the breath of life to
+    me, and revived me like a potent medicine. There was a distant, sullen
+    murmur in the city, but around us all was still. Above us were bright
+    stars, but no moon.
+</p>
+<p>
+    At length we got among low dwellings, some of which had twinkling
+    lights. We entered a dark, narrow passage, smelling powerfully of fried
+    fish and onions. Some one from above said cautiously, "Who goes there?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "La Croissette."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Who else?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My brother Jean."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Advance, brothers La Croissette."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We ascended a mean staircase and entered a room where we found a man and
+    woman standing beside a large basket.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Now get you into this," said La Croissette to me, "and we will lower
+    you from the window. Stay, I will go first; it will give you
+    confidence."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Twisting his long frame into the basket, he clasped his arms round his
+    knees, and the others began to raise him by well-secured pulleys. The
+    woman grew quite red in the face with the exertion of getting him over
+    the window-ledge, and I own I trembled for him.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "All is right, he is safely down," said she, at length, and helped to
+    pull up the basket. "Now, young man; you're not afraid?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh no; only don't let me down too fast."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That must depend on how heavy you are. We can't keep dangling you
+    between sky and earth all night. Come; you are not nearly as heavy as
+    your brother. Adieu, mon cher; bon voyage!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Adieu, madame; mille remerciments."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I thought of St. Paul in the basket, and the two Israelitish spies.
+    La Croissette eased my descent a good deal, by steadying the basket,
+    and helped me out of it to our mutual satisfaction. It was then swiftly
+    drawn up, and taken in.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Thank heaven, we are safe!" said I. "That was very cleverly managed."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Do you suppose it the first time?" said La Croissette. "Far from it, I
+    can tell you. Many things are done in Nismes that the authorities know
+    nothing of, for all their vigilance. Now we are fairly outside the city,
+    and, with ordinary good luck, shall perform our night-journey in safety."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "With God's blessing we may," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Make that proviso with all my heart," said La Croissette. "some trust
+    in Providence and some in luck. I have nothing to say against either.
+    Now get into the cart."
+</p>
+<p>
+    He led the horse a little out of the shadow as he spoke, and helped me
+    inside the little house on wheels, where I found a mattress that proved
+    a most acceptable rest; and then we drove slowly and quietly off, and
+    gradually got among fields and hedges.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "How are you getting on?" said La Croissette, at length. "Do you mind
+    the shaking?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh," said I, "I have so many things on my mind that I take no thought
+    for the body."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "All the better; though some say that pain of the mind is the worst to
+    bear of the two."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I have little doubt of it," said I, "though each are bad enough. But
+    all I meant was that my mind is preoccupied and anxious, and prevents
+    my noticing any mere discomforts; for I cannot say I am miserable."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Indeed I think you ought not to be, for you have had an escape from
+    that troubled city that many would rejoice at."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Tell me truly; do you think I have actually escaped?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What know I? You have escaped from the evils behind; you may not
+    escape from the evils before. Yesterday was cloudy, to-morrow may be
+    rainy, the day after may be fine; none of us knows. At least there is a
+    weather-prophet at Arles whom some of the fools believe in; but he broke
+    his leg a little while ago, and his spirit of prophecy did not enable
+    him to foresee that, therefore I doubt his knowing about the weather."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "There have always been those who dealt in lying signs and wonders,"
+    said I, "from the days of Moses, when the magicians feigned to change
+    their rods into serpents, which of course they could not do really."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "They were clever at sleight-of-hand, I suppose," said La Croissette.
+    "So is Doctor Jameray. He can do many wonderful things. I can do some
+    of them myself. You see, some of his conjuring tricks require a second
+    person, who must not be known for his assistant; so that when he sets
+    out on his tours through the provinces, I generally do the same, and
+    contrive to cross his path, as if by accident. Then we play off on a
+    new set of people the tricks we have played twenty times before in
+    other places."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Then needle-selling is only a blind?" said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I turn a little money by it; the more, that I am careful always to sell
+    the best needles and pins. Thus I have acquired a name&mdash;the housewives
+    trust me; I have a character to support. And my character supports me."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "A good character always does so in the long run," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, I don't know what to say about that. You are too young to have
+    any authority of weight. It must be your father's wisdom, and I am not
+    sure it will stand the test."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I feel sure of it," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    'What, when you are this very moment a houseless wanderer, without
+    having done any wrong? How does your good character support you now?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "For example, it has secured me your good offices," said I. "You would
+    not have given me this good turn if I had been a worthless villain."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, perhaps not; supposing I had known you for such&mdash;though worthless
+    villains often escape deserved punishment, and sometimes are very
+    plausible, and pay very well. And sometimes not"&mdash;reflectively.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You seem to remember a case in point," said I, smiling.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, I do," said La Croissette. "There was a young lord who led a sad
+    course, and nearly fell into the hands of justice. He had a dashing,
+    off-hand manner, that made friends till he was found out for what he
+    was; and partly because he talked me over, and partly for high pay,
+    I smuggled him beyond the reach of his enemies. But the pay never came.
+    He won't get me to help him another time."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "He'll miss the want of a good character in the long run, then," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh, he has done so already; he lies in prison now. But so do many of
+    you Huguenots, who have done nothing amiss. It seems to me there is one
+    event to the good and to the wicked."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh no, do not believe it," said I. "In the first place, none of us
+    are righteous; no, not one; our merits only comparative. Thus, there is
+    something in every one of us to punish; and sometimes the Lord sees fit
+    to chasten His best-loved servants so severely, that it is difficult to
+    distinguish their chastisement from His judgments on the wicked."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That comes to what I was saying," said La Croissette; "that there is
+    but one event to the good and to the bad."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "It seems so, though it is not so," said I. "But don't you perceive in
+    this a grand argument in favor of a future life?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I am no scholar, I;&mdash;you must explain it to me," said La Croissette.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "If the Lord lets his dear children fall into the same afflictions here
+    as the rebellious and impenitent, it is because He knows that in the
+    long run, it will be to their advantage rather than otherwise: that they
+    will turn their trials to such good account as actually to be the better
+    for them; and that their light affliction, which is but for a moment,
+    will work for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
+    So that hereafter they shall look back on their present pains, not only
+    with indifference but with thankfulness. But ah! where shall then the
+    unrighteous and sinner appear?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You seem to have a natural gift for preaching," said La Croissette,
+    after a pause. "Where will they appear, say you? Why, if our priests
+    are to be believed, those of them, even the very worst, who have money
+    enough to pay for masses and indulgences, may buy themselves off from
+    purgatory, and shine in glory with the best."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Does not that carry incredibility and absurdity on the very face of
+    it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "It seems very hard on the poor man who can't buy himself off," said La
+    Croissette. "You Huguenots, then, don't believe in it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Most assuredly not. God accepts no prayers that do not spring from a
+    lowly and contrite heart: and they may be offered by a poor man as well
+    as a rich one."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But does not a poor man's soul require those purgatorial fires?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh no, my dear La Croissette! The Son of God told of no purgatory&mdash;only
+    of heaven and hell. And He was so truthful that He would not have told
+    of a hell if there had not been one&mdash;nor have failed to tell of a
+    purgatory if there had been one. The end would not have been
+    commensurate with the means, had He laid down his life to save us from
+    anything short of condign punishment, or to save us only incompletely.
+    If there were a purgatory to endure at any rate, where would be the
+    all-sufficiency of his sacrifice once offered?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    He bade us believe in him and be saved. He did not say, 'believe also in
+    my mother, and my brethren, and my apostles, and ask them to ask me to
+    save you.' He said, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
+    and I will give you rest.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No! did he, though?" said La Croissette, suddenly checking his horse.
+</p>
+<p>
+    At the same moment, a woman sprang from the hedge and laid her hand on
+    the shaft, saying:
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Good sir, save us! we perish!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What is the matter?" said he, starting.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "We are fugitives from Nismes; we were beaten, we were burnt, we were
+    pillaged."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My poor good woman, there are numbers in like case."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But we starve," said she, bursting into tears. "My aged mother and my
+    little ones."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I am very sorry for you, but I am a poor man myself&mdash;here, take this
+    trifle."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Alas, we cannot eat money!" in a tone of such mournful reproach.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No, true; it will buy a little bread&mdash;but there are no shops. Jean," in
+    a lower voice to me, "I've a loaf in the cart, shall we part with it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Give it to her by all means," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Before he did so, he said to her, "True, you cannot eat money, but money
+    will buy you bread in Nismes. Why not return there? The authorities are
+    welcoming all that conform."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Death rather than that!" said she, clasping her hands to her heart, and
+    turning away.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Stay, stay. Here is bread for you. It is all we have."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah! bless&mdash;." She could say no more, but sobbed bitterly. La Croissette
+    turned his face away.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "There are many of us, many!" sobbed she. "We shall so bless you. We
+    will pray for you."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Do so; do," said he, affecting composure, and whipping on.
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER IX.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED.
+</h3>
+<p>
+    The moon had now risen, and shone full on our road, which was completely
+    exposed; but happily we met with no hindrance. The motion of the cart
+    now made me very drowsy, and I fell into deep dreamless sleep. When I
+    woke, feeling stiff and chilled, I wondered where I was. The cart had
+    stopped, I was alone, the gray light of morning was forcing its way
+    through the chinks of my little lodging-house, but the door was locked.
+    I thought my position a curious one, and wondered whether La Croissette
+    was going to give me up after all, to my enemies, but could not readily
+    distrust a fellow apparently so kind-hearted. I lay still and listened
+    to the sounds about me; the clucking of hens, gobbling of turkeys,
+    stamping of horses, and lowing of calves, told me I was in a farm-yard.
+    Then I heard voices, including that of La Croissette, and presently a
+    sharp cry and then a laugh. By-and-by, the key turned in the lock and
+    he looked in on me.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "So ho, you are awake after a famous long nap," said he. "Do you want
+    your breakfast?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "If I do, want must be my master," said I, returning his smile. "We gave
+    away our only loaf."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But what if I have earned another, and a good bowl of milk?" rejoined
+    La Croissette, producing both as he spoke. "There, sit up and eat your
+    fill; I've had my share in the house."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Where are we?" said I, readily obeying his instructions.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "At a wayside farm-house, where the honest people have given my horse
+    a good feed, and you and me a good breakfast."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "How did you earn it, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "By pulling out a tooth for a great lubberly boy, whose cheek had
+    swollen enormously with toothache. Did you not hear him cry out? You
+    might almost have heard him from here to Nismes."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes, I heard him cry and then laugh."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Because he was so glad to have got rid of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Can you draw teeth, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I never drew one before, but I went at it as if it was a regular thing
+    with me."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "How could you venture?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Psha! it is good to show confidence; and every one must have a
+    beginning. Which of us would let a doctor try his hand on us, if we knew
+    it was for the first time?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    I smiled and shook my head at him, but said no more. When I had
+    swallowed the delicious milk, he said,
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Now I will return the bowl, and bring out my horse. I told them I had a
+    sick brother in the cart, recovering from a burning fever, or you would
+    have had some visitors. To make doubly sure, I locked you up."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Would not that have been enough without the other?" I said, grieved at
+    his want of truth.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No, I think not, and I'm not as particular as you are."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Presently we were driving off again, and for a mile or so in silence.
+    Then La Croissette, looking back at me, said,
+</p>
+<p>
+    "There are certainly good people on both sides. That poor wretch to
+    whom we gave the loaf was undoubtedly a good Huguenot; she would rather
+    starve and die than abjure her faith. But here, again, are a family of
+    Catholics, who are good, too, and believed every word I said, and
+    liberally supplied my wants."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Doubtless there are good people on both sides," said I; "and if the
+    Catholics would believe it of us, we might yet live in peace and
+    quietness together. We have not harmed them&mdash;it is they who harm us."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "For your good, they will tell you."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "They may tell us, but we cannot believe it. Their compulsions are not
+    in the spirit of love."
+</p>
+<p>
+    La Croissette softly whistled, and presently talked of other things.
+    By-and-by he said,
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Now we are coming to a town, and you shall see some fun."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Will it be quite safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Safer than anything else. It is a fair-day; I shall drive straight
+    into the market-place, blow my horn, and play the quack doctor. Nay,
+    you shall be my accomplice and blow the horn. Let me put you in costume
+    at once."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Saying which, he fished out a soiled scarlet cloak, gaily spangled,
+    which he threw over my shoulders, produced a half-mask with an enormous
+    red nose, with which he concealed the upper part of my face, covered my
+    head with a Spanish hat and feather, and gave me a horn.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Now blow as much as you like," said he; "be as brazen as your trumpet."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I laughed, and entered into the joke; no one would suspect me for a
+    Huguenot.
+</p>
+<p>
+    La Croissette then disguised himself in Dr. Jameray's long black gown,
+    and added a pair of green spectacles, which certainly heightened the
+    effect. Having driven into the market-place, he placed a little table
+    before him and spread it with boxes and phials, I blowing the horn from
+    time to time in a way which he called quite original, and which speedily
+    drew people about us. Then, with wonderful self-possession, he harangued
+    them on the merits of his medicines. For instance, taking up a phial
+    which contained a pink-colored fluid, he descanted on its virtues in
+    this style:
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My friends, this small bottle contains a famous specific, for those who
+    know how to use it prudently. When I say prudently, I mean that there
+    are certain things it will do and others it will not. This remedy is for
+    increasing the strength, improving the appetite, and clearing the head.
+    Will it, therefore, set a broken arm or draw a tooth? Most certainly
+    not. I can draw a tooth for you, if you like it (by-the-by, some think
+    I have a gift that way, but self-praise is no recommendation); I can
+    draw a tooth, I say, no matter with how many fangs; but this medicine
+    cannot. Does it follow, then, that it will cure a cough or sore throat?
+    Not at all. Here, if you like (taking up another bottle) is something
+    that will, but what is that to the purpose? Will it cure sore eyes? No;
+    or sprains? Far from it. No, no, my most excellent ladies and gentlemen,
+    let us not form unreasonable expectations; day is not night; summer is
+    not winter; nor is a horse-medicine a febrifuge. It is useless to assert
+    such trash to sensible, well-informed people, Here is an opportunity,
+    such as most of you may possibly never have again, of buying a most
+    delightful and effectual medicine, sweet, not nauseous (strongly
+    reminding one of cherry-brandy), gently exhilarating, and very difficult
+    to be procured; indeed, I have only three small doses of it&mdash;three, did
+    I say? I'm afraid I have only two&mdash;let me see&mdash;Oh, yes, here are three;
+    and the price is merely nominal&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    The extreme frankness and moderation of this harangue of course met with
+    great success; and purchasers speedily bought, not only his three pink
+    bottles, but his green ones, his blue ones, his pills, his pomades, and
+    his perfumed medicinal soaps that were to soften the skin, strengthen
+    the joints, and promote longevity. After this, he sang a comic song of
+    innumerable verses (with horn obligato) and delivered a discourse, in
+    which he said there had never been more than three great men in the
+    world, Louis the Fourteenth, Alexander the Great, and Hippocrates, the
+    father of physic.
+</p>
+<p>
+    It was surprising to me how he carried on this game hour after hour,
+    apparently without fatigue, and always to the delight of his audience,
+    new-comers continually pressing around him, and old ones lingering in
+    the distance with broad smiles on their faces. A little of it was well
+    enough, but I thought that to be always at it must be harder work than
+    the hardest handywork trade I knew. At last the day closed in, the
+    people departed, we supplied ourselves with food, and departed like
+    the rest.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Now, then, have I not come off with flying colors?" said La Croissette,
+    complacently.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Assuredly you have: but you must be very tired."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Tired as can be&mdash;you know I had no sleep last night&mdash;we are coming to
+    a little thicket where we will roost for the night."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We had scarcely drawn up under the trees, which were thinning of leaves,
+    when we heard a distant hollow sound gradually growing louder as it
+    approached. "The dragoons," said La Croissette, in a low voice. "I trust
+    we shall escape their notice."
+</p>
+<p>
+    They passed by like a whirlwind, taking the direction we had just left,
+    and we congratulated ourselves on having quitted their path.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "These wretches, look you," said La Croissette, "know neither mercy
+    nor justice; they know they are let loose on the country to do all the
+    mischief they can, and if they find a Paradise, they leave it a howling
+    wilderness."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Of this we had proof next day, when we came on their track, and found
+    wretched women and children in tears and lamentations impossible for us
+    to assuage: men that had been cudgelled within an inch of their lives,
+    or hung up by their wrists or their heels till they swooned, lying on
+    the ground uncared for and dying. Ah, what wickedness! and all under
+    pretence of doing God service! I cannot dwell on the terrible scenes we
+    saw in crossing the country. Sometimes La Croissette did some trifling
+    act of kindness, but the evils demanded more potent remedies.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "This unfits me for my calling," said he, one day, as he scrambled into
+    the cart and drove off. "How can one play the merry-andrew under such
+    circumstances? What will become of these poor creatures as winter comes
+    on, even if they can last till then? It is impossible they should all
+    escape from the country&mdash;they will have to conform after all, and had
+    they not better do so now?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    I replied, "It is written, 'Fear not, little flock; for it is the
+    Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "The kingdom of France?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "No, the kingdom of heaven."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "To whom were the words spoken?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "To the early Christians, whose praise is in all the churches&mdash;whom the
+    Catholics not only reverence but worship."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Hum. Well, if they weathered such persecution as this, perhaps these
+    may; but I could not stand it, I!&mdash;Do you know (with great awe) there
+    are dungeons called Hippocrates' Sleeves, the walls of which slope like
+    the inside of a funnel tapering to a point, so that those who are put
+    inside them can neither lie, sit, nor stand? They are let down into them
+    with cords, and drawn up every day to be whipped."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "And have any come forth alive from such places?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I grant you; but sometimes without teeth or hair."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "O, what glorious faith, to survive such a test!" exclaimed I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But some don't survive."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "O, what hallelujahs their freed spirits must sing as they find
+    themselves suddenly released and soaring upward with myriads of
+    rejoicing angels, to receive their welcome at the throne of God!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Jean, I never knew anything like you!" said La Croissette. "The worse
+    the stories I tell you, the greater the triumph and exultation you cap
+    them with."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I answered, "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of
+    their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev.
+    xii. II.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Do you think you could bear being put into a Hippocrates' Sleeve?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I am not called on to think what I could bear: only to bear what is put
+    on me."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Your father, every word! As the old cock crows, so does the young one.
+    But after all, 'tis a fearful thing to lie at the mercy of those that
+    can devise and carry out such tortures."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "It is written, 'I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that
+    kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do; but I will
+    forewarn you whom ye shall fear. Fear Him which after He hath killed,
+    hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear Him.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You seem to have all the texts on this particular head at the tips of
+    your fingers. Did you learn them for this particular purpose?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My dear mother used to repeat to me a text every night, and expect me
+    to repeat it to her the next day."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "An excellent plan," said La Croissette, whipping his horse. And he
+    hummed a tune.
+</p>
+<p>
+    When we reached Montauban, he said,
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I must now begin my old tricks, to earn a little money;" and he drew
+    up in the market-place. But the people had been as heavily visited as
+    at Nismes, and were in no mood for jesting. When he began to vend his
+    nostrums, an old man of severe aspect held up his hand, and said:
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Peace, unfeeling man&mdash;you bring your senseless ribaldry to the wrong
+    market. Here are only lamentations, and mourning, and woe."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My good sir, one must live," said La Croisette.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "And how? tell me that!" retorted the old man, indignantly. "They that
+    fed delicately are desolate in the streets; they that were clad in
+    scarlet are cast on dunghills; the tongue of the suckling child cleaves
+    to the roof of its mouth for thirst; the young children ask for bread,
+    and no man giveth unto them."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Then, with a wail that was almost like a howl, he tore his hair and
+    cried, "For this, for this mine eyes run down with water and mine
+    eyelids take no rest. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Jean, I cannot stand this," said La Croissette, as the old man hurried
+    away. "All the people seem with broken hearts&mdash;it takes all spirit out
+    of me. I cannot even hawk needles and pins among the starving&mdash;who would
+    buy?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    I could only say, "How dreadful is this place! The Lord seems to have
+    forsaken his sanctuary."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Let us seek another place as soon as we can&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You forget: I am to be met here by an agent of my father's at La Boule
+    d'Or."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Ah, well, we will go thither."
+</p>
+<p>
+    When we drove into the inn-yard, however, we could hear unruly voices in
+    the house, and feared we might fall into bad company. A man immediately
+    came up to us, and said to me, in a low voice:
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Are you M. Jacques Bonneval?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I am. Are you Antoine Leroux?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Hist!&mdash;yes. There are ill-disposed people in the inn; you had better
+    not go in-doors. Can you walk a little way?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Come with me, then."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I must bid my companion farewell." Turning to La Croissette, I took his
+    hand in both mine, and pressed it fervently, saying:
+</p>
+<p>
+    "My dear La Croissette, adieu. May God bless you in this world and the
+    next. I wish I could make some return for your exceeding kindness, but,
+    unfortunately, can give you nothing but my prayers."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Pray say nothing of it," said he, cordially. "Your prayers are the very
+    thing I should like to have, for, unfortunately, I am not good at them
+    myself. As I pass a Calvary by the roadside I pull off my hat, in token
+    of respect, you know, for what it represents; and had I had a bringing
+    up like yours I might have had as pretty a turn for psalmody; but as the
+    matter stands, why, you will be Jacques Bonneval, and I Bartholomé La
+    Croissette to the end of the chapter. As for what I have done for you,
+    why, it's nothing! I was coming this way, at any rate, and I've given
+    you a lift; that's all."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You may make light of it, if you will," said I, "but I know you have
+    continually run risks for me; and depend on it, I shall never forget
+    you. Adieu, my friend."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Farewell, then," said he, "and take my best wishes with you. I hope you
+    will now slip safely out of the country, but a good piece of it remains
+    before you yet. Nor are your feet in good condition for walking."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That has been provided for," said Antoine. "As soon as we get to the
+    waterside we shall find a boat awaiting us, which will carry us to
+    Bordeaux."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But you are some way from the water.'
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes, but I have a cart."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We then parted, La Croissette kissing me on both cheeks with the utmost
+    kindness; and I turned away with Antoine. Looking round as we quitted
+    the court, I had my last glimpse of his tall, meagre figure, as he stood
+    with his hand on his hip, looking after me; and I thought how strange
+    and disproportionate a return his kindness to me had been for mine to
+    him, in lifting him up and saving him from a kicking horse on the way
+    to Beaucaire. The whole scene at once started up before me&mdash;our family
+    party in the wagon&mdash;the girls' blooming faces and gay dresses&mdash;the
+    crowded road&mdash;the music&mdash;the bustle. Then my thoughts flew on to what
+    followed&mdash;the humors of the fair&mdash;the crowded table at my uncle's&mdash;my
+    betrothal to Madeleine. What a different future then seemed to lie
+    before us to what awaited us now! Where was she? Should we meet soon?
+    Might we not be separated for ever? I cannot tell how many thoughts like
+    these passed through my mind as I limped after Antoine, who was himself
+    somewhat awkward in his gait, like many of the silk-weavers from sitting
+    so constantly at the loom.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Thus we passed through some of the by-ways of Montauban, and entered a
+    small house.
+</p>
+<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a>
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<h2>
+    CHAPTER X.
+</h2>
+<h3>
+    "MY NATIVE LAND, GOOD-NIGHT"
+</h3>
+<p>
+    The room we entered was destitute of furniture and blackened with smoke.
+    Heaps of broken fragments impeded our entrance and lay on the floor.
+    A man sitting on the ground was restlessly taking up one piece after
+    another, and laying them down again, muttering to himself, without
+    noticing us.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I know not why they should have done so," he said hurriedly; "the poor
+    chairs and tables could not hurt. And, after all, when they hung me up
+    I gave in, and kissed the cross made by their swords; and they knocked
+    me about after that. If that was justice, I don't know what justice is.
+    They hurt my wife, too, or she would not have shrieked out so. And her
+    word always had been&mdash;'Hold out; pain may be borne; and they dare not
+    kill us!' But when she saw them tie me up, she cried out, 'Oh, Pierre,
+    Pierre, give in&mdash;give in!' So what was I to do? Answer me that."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "This poor fellow has lost his senses," said Antoine, softly. "Wait here
+    a minute. I will soon return."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I stood where I was. It seemed to me from the charred remains that the
+    furniture had been just broken up and then partially burnt. There was
+    a great beam across the ceiling, with large iron hooks on which to hang
+    bacon, onions, and such-like. From one of these hooks dangled a strong
+    chain.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "They drew me up with that," said he, turning his dull eyes on me, and
+    the next instant looking away. "They passed the chain under one of my
+    armpits, and so suspended me; and then beat me. I was not going to stand
+    that, you know. My wife ran away, calling on me to give in; so what
+    could I do? Could I help it? Am I a renegade?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    I said, "Let us remember David's words&mdash;'Have mercy on me, O Lord, for
+    my sin is great.' He did not say, 'for my sin is little&mdash;a very little
+    one&mdash;the first I ever sinned;' but 'my sin is great;' and therefore have
+    mercy on me. Say it after me. 'Have mercy on me, for my sin is great.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+    &mdash;"For my sin is great," repeated he, melting into tears. And again and
+    again he repeated, weeping, "For my sin is great&mdash;my sin is great. Have
+    mercy on me, O Lord, for my sin is great."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "He also hath forgiven the wickedness of thy sin," said I. "Let us turn
+    unto the Lord, for he will heal us, and not be angry with us for ever."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Antoine drew me away. We left the poor man in tears, and went into the
+    yard, where stood a cart, with a sorry horse in it, and a heap of loose
+    fagots and pieces of broken furniture beside it.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Get you in here, sir, and lie down," said he. "I will pile the wood
+    over you as lightly as I can."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I did as he desired. He bestowed the wood over me as carefully as he
+    could, and then led the horse out.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Whither away?" said somebody, passing.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "To dispose of this rubbish," said he, carelessly. "Poor Pierre's
+    chattels have been reduced to mere firewood. If a trifle can be got
+    for them, it may buy him bread."
+</p>
+<p>
+    I thought of the two messengers to King David, whom a woman concealed
+    in a well at Bahurim, spreading a covering over the well's mouth, and
+    spreading ground corn thereon. I was startled when the man said,
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I have a mind to buy it of you: it will do to heat my oven."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But this load is engaged already," said Antoine.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Why did you not say so at first? You said you were going to see if you
+    could get a trifle for it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "I confess I expressed myself badly. My poor brother's sad state has
+    bewildered me. Go you, and look in on him, and see what a pitiable
+    object he is."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, I think I will. What is the value of this load, as it stands?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    Antoine seemed so disposed to haggle for it that I confess I quaked;
+    however, he set such a high value on it that the other demurred.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Happily we got out of the town without further molestation. I was very
+    much cramped, but that was no matter. The church-bells began to ring;
+    and Antoine said, in a low voice, "How pitiable are the poor people who
+    are now going to vespers on compulsion! Where will all this end? Can it
+    be that he who now goeth forth weeping, and bearing good seed, shall
+    return again in joy, bringing his sheaves with him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    I said, "The Lord's hand is not straitened, that he cannot save. What
+    is impossible with man is possible with God."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh that we may live to see it, sir."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We came up with a wagon, with the driver of which Antoine fell into
+    conversation for some time, but what they said I could not well hear.
+    At length we reached the water-side, at a landing-place where a boat
+    laden with kitchen stuff was awaiting us. Here Antoine saw me safely
+    placed in charge of the boatman, who bade me never fear, for he would
+    safely carry me to Bordeaux. We pushed off: the moon shone cold and
+    bright; the air on the river felt fresh and chill. The boatman threw a
+    warm covering on me, bade me sleep, and began a monotonous boat-song.
+    I soon slept.
+</p>
+<p>
+    When I awoke it was late in the morning, for the bright October sun
+    overhead was making the rapid Garonne quiver in a sheen of golden light.
+    I found we had made good progress, and were not many hours from our
+    destination. I found it inexpressibly pleasant to float down that
+    bright river, as it carried me to new scenes, which love, hope, and
+    inexperience painted in pleasing colors. My feet were sufficiently
+    painful for me to be glad to lie idly among the piles of cabbages and
+    while the time in day-dreams. Aged confessors might go forth sighing,
+    "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" but to the young
+    and buoyant, change of occupation and foreign travel have great
+    allurement, even when rudely come by.
+</p>
+<p>
+    The boatman seemed an honest poor fellow. Sometimes he exchanged
+    greetings and jokes with other boatmen; sometimes he sang snatches
+    of plaintive songs, such as
+</p>
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<p>  "N'erount très frères</p>
+<p>  N'erount très frères</p>
+<p class="i2">    N'haut qu'une soeur à marida:"</p>
+</div></div>
+<p><br>
+    for his mother was from Languedoc. At other times he talked to me
+    quietly.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yours seems a contented, merry life, said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, I make it so," said he. "Where is the good of picking up
+    troubles? they come sure enough. Once I was foolish enough to think
+    'What a poor lot is this, to be pulling a market-boat up and down
+    stream, with greens for the seafaring men, while others go riding on
+    horseback or in carriages, wear fine clothes, feast every day, and go to
+    theatres at night.' But when the dragoons came I was thankful to be what
+    I was. Did you hear what happened to Collette at our place? Collette was
+    the prettiest girl of our village, and a good girl, but a thought too
+    vain. Perhaps it is too much to expect a woman not to be vain when she
+    is pretty, but all are not. Collette's skin was like lilies and roses.
+    When the dragoons were let loose on us they burnt her father's
+    furniture, and beat him within an inch of his life. They asked Collette
+    if she would go to mass: she said, 'I will not.' They pulled her hair,
+    beat her, pinched her, but she only said the more, 'I will not.' Then a
+    dragoon said, 'This girl is too pert, her conceit must be lowered a
+    little.' And he took a comb off her toilette, and drew it down her face
+    two or three times, quite hard, till it was scratched and scored all
+    over. Conceive how the poor thing was cut up! She burst into tears, and
+    said, 'Take me to a convent; I don't care where I go now, so that I am
+    not seen. I shall never be worth looking at again.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But what an unworthy motive for an unworthy act!" cried I.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But only think how she was goaded to it!" said he. "Women think so much
+    of their looks. I am told the dragoons have tried that trick with many
+    ladies of quality."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "If they deserved the name of men they would be ashamed of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, I think so too; but see how they treat the men! Have you seen
+    a chain of galley-slaves on their way to Marseilles? Certainly no
+    treatment can be too bad for the infamous, but that nobles and gentlemen
+    should be fettered along with felons, forgers, murderers, and
+    such-like&mdash;ah, 'tis too bad!"<a href="#note-1" name="ref1"><small>1</small></a>...
+</p>
+<p>
+    "But now we come to Bordeaux," said he, at length; and in fact, the
+    increase of traffic on the water was sufficient of itself to tell us
+    that we were approaching an important commercial city, while in the
+    distance were seen the masts of ships of many nations. Nearer at hand
+    the richly-wooded heights were studded with the country seats of opulent
+    merchants, many of whom either were Huguenots or had made their fortunes
+    by Huguenots. It was to be supposed, therefore, that we had many friends
+    here; and, indeed, many were favoring our escape as much as they could
+    without compromising themselves; but such jealous watch was being kept
+    on the port that this was extremely difficult. Soon my companion ran his
+    boat in between two others similarly laden&mdash;as far as vegetables when,
+    that is, for I know not they held any fugitives; and a great war of
+    words ensued, in which it was difficult to know whether they were really
+    quarrelling or not.
+</p>
+<p>
+    At length I got ashore, and found my way to the counting-house of my
+    father's correspondent, Monsieur Bort. He was a very business-looking
+    man, with a short, hard, dry way of speaking. I found him immersed in
+    his books. Directly he saw me, he said, abruptly.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You are young Bonneval. You come too late. The others are gone."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Oh" And I dropped into a seat, quite stunned by this reverse.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Mais que voulez-vous?" said he. "They could not wait. The opportunity
+    would have been lost."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Are they really off, and safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Off they are, but whether safe&mdash;." He shrugged his shoulders and raised
+    his eyebrows. However, seeing my chagrin, he added, "I imagine they are
+    in the river Thames by this time."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Do you mean they are ascending the river to London?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Precisely. It may not be so, but we may hope the best. And
+    you?"&mdash;eyeing me inquiringly.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "What am I to do, sir? Did my father leave me no word of direction?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "He left you his blessing, and bade you be a good boy, and submit
+    yourself to my direction."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "That I will gladly do, if you will direct me."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Well, I am pledged to do the best I can for you. But, unhappily, the
+    surveillance is now so strict that I know not how to smuggle you on
+    board."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "In a box&mdash;in a cask," said I, desperately.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Have you really courage to be packed in that manner?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Yes, if there is no alternative."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Come, you are un brave garçon! I respect you for your resolution. There
+    is a vessel of mine being loaded now, and if you will really go on board
+    in such a way as you propose I think we can manage it, and your durance
+    will not last more than a few hours. You will be a Regulus without the
+    nails."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Smiling grimly at this allusion, he went out, and left me to meditate
+    on what lay before me. It was not pleasant, certainly; but then the
+    incentive was so great!&mdash;to join all whom I held dear, in a free land!
+    The light affliction would be but for a moment.
+</p>
+<p>
+    Monsieur Bort returned. "All is arranged," said he complacently.
+    "I have taken the porter who will roll you into the secret. He promises
+    to be as careful of you as he can. An officer on board is likewise in my
+    confidence: he engages you shall be released as soon as the vessel is
+    fairly under weigh. So take heart; it will be but a short trial compared
+    with what many Huguenots are put to. Take this money and these papers&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    After some business directions he accompanied me to the warehouse, where
+    the cask awaited me, with some hay to soften my journey in it.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You are a pipe of Bordeaux, going as a present to my particular friend
+    in London," said he, smiling. "Now, behave yourself as a good pipe of
+    wine should; and don't cry out even if you are hurt. See, there are some
+    air-holes. You won't stifle."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "They are very small&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "How can that be helped? Who would have doors and windows in a
+    wine-cask? You will get on board alive, will be released when well
+    to sea, and must not mind a little discomfort."
+</p>
+<p>
+    We shook hands, and I stepped in and settled myself as well as I could,
+    with my mouth close to one of the air-holes; and the cask was closed
+    upon me. The next minute I was rolled slowly off; and a most odd
+    sensation it was! I advise you to try it, if you would like something
+    perfectly new; but have bigger air-holes if you can; and even then let
+    your experiment be short.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I verily believe the porter did his best for me; but how slowly
+    he rolled: and even then what bumps and jolts I had when we came to
+    uneven ground! Now and then he stopped, to wipe his face and rest,
+    seemingly&mdash;then on we trundled again Meanwhile I was getting exceedingly
+    hot; all the blood in my body seemed mounting into my head: and
+    unpleasant ideas of smothering obtruded themselves. The noises around me
+    told me we were on the wharf; then the jolting and bumping became worse
+    than before: I fancied I could tell we passed up a sloping plank and
+    were on shipboard. Then, without the least warning, I was rolled over
+    and over, and then set upon my head! but a loud cry outside drowned a
+    smothered cry within; and I was placed in a horizontal position again,
+    with feelings impossible to describe.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I think I became sleepy after that; or else in a painless state of
+    insensibility. When I woke I was numb all over, and had to rub my
+    dazzled eyes as the bright daylight broke in on them.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "He seems to like his quarters so well as to have no mind to turn out,"
+    said a rough voice.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "He wants assistance," said some one, in a kinder tone; and a handsome,
+    frank-looking man laid hold of my arm, and helped me to rise. Above me
+    were the sails and cordage of a ship; all around me the sparkling blue
+    waves, leaping in freedom. I clasped my hands, and raised them to
+    heaven.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "You do well to give thanks where thanks are due," said the mate. "Now
+    come into the cabin."
+</p>
+<p>
+    Seeing me stagger, he took me by the arm, and kindly assisted me into
+    the presence of the captain, saying, "Here is one of the noble army of
+    martyrs."
+</p>
+<p>
+    The captain gave me a most kind reception, made me dine with him, and
+    asked me a great many questions. He then told me many moving stories of
+    other Huguenots who had escaped or tried to escape to England; and he
+    related such instances of the kindness of the English to the fugitives
+    that my heart warmed towards them with gratitude and hope.
+</p>
+<p>
+    After this I suffered much from seasickness, and lay two or three days
+    in my cot, where we were buffeted of the winds, and tossed. We were
+    chased by a strange ship, and had to put on all the sail we could to
+    escape being overhauled; and this led to our being driven out of our
+    course; so that, what with one thing and another, we we did not reach
+    Gravesend till the 8th of November. Then the captain went ashore with
+    his ship's papers, and, after transacting business, started for London,
+    and took me with him.
+</p>
+<p>
+    What a day it was for forming one's first impressions of that
+    much-longed-for capital! There was a thick November fog, through which
+    street-lamps sent an imperfect light; and shops were lighted up with
+    candles. Vehicles ran against one another in the streets, in spite of
+    link-boys darting between the horses, fearless of danger, and scattering
+    sparks from their fiery torches. The noise, the unknown language,
+    the strange streets and lanes bewildered me. The captain called a
+    hackney-coach, and in this we made our way to Fenchurch street,
+    where lived his shipping agent, Mr. Smith. We went upstairs to his
+    counting-house, and found him talking to some one, who turned round
+    as we entered.
+</p>
+<p>
+    I exclaimed "Oh, my father!" and precipitated myself into his arms.
+    He embraced me with transport.
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Where is my mother? Where is Madeline?"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Safe and well, at the country-house of our esteemed friend Mr. Smith.
+    Thither I will speedily take you, my dear boy. I came here to gather
+    tidings of you."
+</p>
+<p>
+    "How long it seems since we lost sight of one another!"
+</p>
+<p>
+    "Long, indeed! And how much we have to tell each other! But we are
+    in smooth water now. In this free, happy land people are no longer
+    persecuted for their faith. We must begin the world again, my son; but
+    what does that signify? You have youth and energy; I have experience
+    and patience."
+</p>
+<p>
+    The captain and Mr. Smith looked on with sympathy at our mutual
+    felicitations. Soon I was with my father in a stage-coach on our way to
+    Walthamstow. There, in an old-fashioned red-brick mansion, I found my
+    mother, brothers and sisters, my Madeleine, and Gabrielle. What joy!
+    What affection!
+</p>
+<p>
+    In short, we were all, without one exception, among the four hundred
+    thousand persons who forsook France rather than renounce their faith.
+    Of that number, a very great many perished of famine, hardships, and
+    fatigue; but we were among the many who safely reached this hospitable
+    country and commenced life anew. Many of us settled without the city
+    walls in the open ground of Spital Fields, which we gradually covered
+    with houses and silk-factories. Here we spoke our own language, sang our
+    own songs, had our own places of worship, and built our dwellings in the
+    old French style, with porticoes and seats at the doors, where our old
+    men sat and smoked on summer evenings, and conversed with one another
+    in their own tongue.
+</p>
+<p>
+    At first our starving refugees were relieved by a Parliamentary grant of
+    &pound;15,000 a year; but, God prospering our industry our trade went on
+    steadily increasing till that, now, in 1713, three hundred thousand of
+    us are maintained by it in England. And many others of us in friendly
+    countries abroad, where we have been driven. Prosperity to those among
+    whom we have settled has followed. The native land that cast us forth
+    has been impoverished. Happy are the people whom the Lord hath blessed.
+    Yea, happy are they who have the Lord for their God.
+</p>
+
+
+<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div>
+
+<hr class="full">
+
+<h2>Footnotes</h2>
+
+<a name="note-1"><!--Note--></a>
+<p class="foot">
+<u>1</u> See "Autobiography of a French Protestant." Religious
+Tract Society. A thrilling narrative, of which the Quarterly Review
+says:&mdash;"The facts are more interesting than fiction, and the incidents
+not less strange." <a href="#ref1"><small>(return)</small></a>
+</p>
+
+<br><br><br><br>
+<hr class="pg" noshade>
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACQUES BONNEVAL***</p>
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Jacques Bonneval, by Anne Manning
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Jacques Bonneval
+
+Author: Anne Manning
+
+Release Date: October 30, 2004  [eBook #13896]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACQUES BONNEVAL***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Garcia and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+JACQUES BONNEVAL
+
+Or, The Days of the Dragonnades
+
+by
+
+THE AUTHOR OF _MARY POWELL_, _THE FAIRE GOSPELLER_, ETC., ETC.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER I.
+  THE FAIR OF BEAUCAIRE
+
+  CHAPTER II.
+  THE FEAST OF ST. MAGDALEN
+
+  CHAPTER III.
+  LES ARENES
+
+  CHAPTER IV.
+  MY UNCLE CHAMBRUN
+
+  CHAPTER V.
+  THE PASSPORT
+
+  CHAPTER VI.
+  TRIAL BY FIRE
+
+  CHAPTER VII.
+  LA CROISSETTE
+
+  CHAPTER VIII.
+  PERSECUTED, YET NOT FORSAKEN
+
+  CHAPTER IX.
+  CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED
+
+  CHAPTER X.
+  "MY NATIVE LAND, GOOD-NIGHT"
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE FAIR OF BEAUCAIRE.
+
+
+There was magic, to my young ears, in the very name of the Fair of
+Beaucaire. Beaucaire is only ten miles from Nismes, therefore no wonder
+I heard plenty about it. It is true, that in my time, the world-famous
+fair did not exercise so vast an influence on commercial affairs In
+general, as in the old days, when it was the great market of France; and
+not only France, but of all civilized countries. With what enjoyment
+would I hear my grandfather relate how great caravans of wealthy
+merchants would assemble for mutual protection, because of the audacious
+outlaws, often headed by some powerful baron, who lay in wait for them
+to despoil them of their merchandise, and often to carry them off
+prisoners and extort heavy ransom. My grandfather would tell hew long
+files of mules, laden with rich silks, cloths, serges, camlets, and
+furs, from Montpelier, from Narbonne, from Toulouse, from Carcassonne,
+and other places, would wend towards Beaucaire, as the day called the
+Feast of St. Magdalene approached, on which the fair was opened. The
+roads were then thronged with travelers; the city was choke-full of
+strangers; not a bed to be had, unless long preengaged, for love or
+money. The shops exhibited the utmost profusion of rich goods;
+hospitality was exercised without grudging; old friends met from year to
+year; matches between their children were frequently concerted; bargains
+were struck, and commercial bills were commonly made payable at the Fair
+of Beaucaire. The crowd was immense while it lasted; a hundred thousand
+strangers being generally present.
+
+Thus, you can easily conceive what charms such a lively scene had for
+the young; while to the old it was the crown of their industry during
+the year. Those at a distance, finding communications difficult and
+journeys expensive, were glad to make an annual pilgrimage serve their
+turn, when they were certain of meeting their fellow-traders, and of
+having under their notice goods from all parts of the world.
+
+It was with great glee, therefore, that I, a youth of nineteen, started
+with my family for the Fair of Beaucaire on the 21st of July, 1685.
+Accommodation was promised us by my uncle Nicolas, and we went the day
+before the festival in order to see it from the beginning. I drove a
+large and commodious char-a-banc, in which were my father and mother, my
+younger brothers and sisters, Monsieur Bourdinave, my father's partner,
+his two fair daughters, Madeleine and Gabrielle, and their old servant
+Alice, who was also their kinswoman in a distant degree.
+
+I was held to be a smart youth in those days, by my family and friends,
+and certainly I had made myself as fine as I could, in the hope of
+pleasing Madeleine, who, to my mind, was the most charming girl in the
+world. Nor was she behindhand in the way of ornament, for she and her
+sister were dressed in their best, and looked as fresh as daisies. In
+fact, we were, one and all, in holiday attire; even the horse being
+tricked out with ribbons, tassels, fringes, and flowers, till he was
+quite a sight.
+
+My father opened the day with family worship, which always seemed to put
+us in tune for the morning, and spread a balmy influence over us. I well
+remember the portion of Scripture he read was the seventeenth chapter of
+St. John's Gospel, which, I need not remind you, contains this verse--"I
+pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou
+shouldest keep them from the evil." My father dwelt on this in his
+prayer, and said, "Lord, I know that these dear young people cannot pass
+through life without hearing and seeing much of evil: but, oh, keep them
+unspotted by it! Let an atmosphere of sanctity and safety surround them
+even in the midst of the fires, that they receive no hurt. In their
+allowed pleasures and pastimes, let them wear that spiritual hauberk
+which is invulnerable to the darts of the wicked; let them steadfastly
+set their faces against whatever thy word disallows; and, should fiery
+trial and temptation beset them, enable them, having done all, to stand."
+
+I am confident that these were as nearly as possible the very words of
+my father; for they made an impression on me that I could hardly account
+for: and as he had recently been explaining to the children the nature
+of a hauberk, as a coat of defensive armor, and remarking on its pliancy
+and being often worn out of sight, the metaphor fixed itself in my
+memory.
+
+We had a substantial breakfast of soup and bread before we started; and
+then drove in state to M. Bourdinave's door, where I sprang out to help
+the smiling girls into the char-a-banc. I would gladly have had
+Madeleine next me, but, as ill-luck would have it, M. Bourdinave placed
+himself at my side, and my father just behind; so that I was completely
+shut out from her, to my great chagrin. However, if I could not see her,
+unless by looking round, I knew she could see me; so I carried myself my
+best, and flourished my whip in fine style.
+
+And thus we went to the Fair of Beaucaire. As we passed Les Arenes, that
+famous Roman amphitheatre in the centre of our city, I heard my father
+and his old friend allude to its former uses, without paying much heed
+to them. I believe they reminded one another that not only wild beasts
+but Christians had formerly been put to death there, for the recreation
+of those who were wild beasts themselves; and my father said how he
+hated the Sunday bull-fights that took place there still, and never
+would let me go near them; on which I put in soberly, "I never want to,
+father."
+
+"Thou art a steady lad, I'll warrant thee," said M. Bourdinave,
+approvingly. "Hold fast the form of sound words which hath been given
+thee in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," said I, whipping old Rene smartly. And in another minute
+we were thumping and bumping over great paving-stones, too noisily for
+conversation to be carried on, and getting into a melee of carts,
+wagons, and horsemen, all bound for Beaucaire. The women were now in
+great delight, looking from side to side, commenting on the dress of
+one, the equipage of another, nodding to acquaintance, and crying "O,
+look!" to each other, when they saw anything beyond common. I had enough
+to do, I assure you, to steer a straight course; and M. Bourdinave
+observing it, remarked that he hoped I should be equally vigilant in
+steering a straight course through life, which made me cry "Ay, ay,
+sir," and set me thinking.
+
+When the road became a little quieter, I heard him and my father
+discussing the price of cocoons, the superiority of good cocoons to
+cocalons, dupions, and soufflons; which last, I need not tell you, are
+very imperfect cocoons; dupions have two threads, and confuse one with
+another; and pointed cocoons are apt to break in the winding. But all
+these, as you know, are turned to account by the silk-spinner, and
+worked up into stockings, sewing-silk, and handkerchiefs. But the good
+cocoons that yield a strong, thick, compact filament, are appropriated
+by the silk-throwsters.
+
+But this trade-talk was interrupted by cries of amused delight from
+the women, and on looking about to see what tickled their fancies, they
+pointed out to us a most extraordinary figure, standing bolt upright
+in a cart. He was tall and meagre, and wore a long black robe and tall
+pointed cap, both of which appeared spangled with silver; instead of
+which, they were studded with steel buttons, needles, and pins, of which
+he was an itinerant vendor. I believe the women would have purchased
+largely of him, had my father let me stop.
+
+Next we came up with a little house upon wheels, drawn by a sorry horse,
+and on the wooden wall of the said house was depicted, many sizes larger
+than life, a great human tooth, with bleeding fangs. Beneath was an
+inscription that the owner of the cart was a traveling dentist, who drew
+teeth without the least pain.
+
+Alice, the maid, had instantly a great desire to let him draw a
+troublesome tooth of hers which, she took pains to assure us, was not
+impaired by natural decay, but only accidentally broken in cracking
+a cherry-stone. "The edge is so rough," said she, "that it hurts my
+tongue; and since this honest gentleman can extract it painlessly,
+I have a great mind to try his hand."
+
+"Plenty of time for that when we get to Beaucaire," said M. Bourdinave.
+"Sure, you would not have a tooth drawn in the middle of the high road?"
+
+"Truly, I should not mind it, inside that nice little wooden house,"
+said she.
+
+But no, she was not allowed to do so; and, to console her, Madeleine
+uncovered a little basket she carried on her arm, and discovered
+cherries as red as her own lips, nestling in dark green leaves. "Here,"
+said she, cheerfully, "are some stones to take your revenge on."
+
+"Ah, what beauties," cried Alice, taking a few; and the basket being
+handed round, we were soon all eating cherries; and Gabrielle asked me
+if I did not wish she had the gift of St. Marguerite.
+
+"I do not know what gift you mean," said I, turning half round, and
+looking full at her.
+
+"Once on a time," said the lively girl, "the foolish story goes, that
+two saints, who were brother and sister, lived in separate monasteries;
+but the brother was frequently visited by his sister, on the pretence
+of seeking spiritual advice. Their names were St. Honorat and St.
+Marguerite. At length the brother grew rather tired of his sister's
+visits, and called them a waste of time. 'Henceforth, let it suffice
+that I shall visit you occasionally, said he. 'When?' said St.
+Marguerite. 'When the cherry-trees blossom,' said St Honorat. Thereupon,
+St. Marguerite prayed that the cherry-trees might blossom once a month,
+which they did; so her brother acknowledged himself outwitted."
+
+"Fie for shame, daughter," said M. Bourdinave, with displeasure. "I am
+grieved that you should remember and repeat such lying legends."
+
+"Dear father, they exercise the fancy--"
+
+"Exercise the fancy, indeed! Let fancy confine herself to her own
+province. She is a good servant, but a bad mistress. The Jews exercised
+their fancies in the wild Talmudical fables. What said our Saviour of
+them? 'Ye make the word of God of none effect through your traditions.
+Let me hear no more papistical fables."
+
+Gabrielle hung her head, and stealing a glance that way, I saw Madeleine
+pass her arm round her sister's waist, and look sweetly at her, which
+made me think Madeleine more attractive than ever. M. Bourdinave did not
+immediately recover his equanimity, but addressing my father, said it
+more than ever behooved good Reformers to walk warily, and not give in
+to any of the ensnaring practices of the surrounding Catholics. "Little
+by little they are stealing in on us already," said he, "and, if our
+sagacious men are to be believed, a time of trouble is preparing for us
+that may perhaps not fall very short of the massacre on the day of St.
+Bartholomew."
+
+"Still," said my father, "we are under the protection of the Edict of
+Nantes."
+
+"Edicts may be set aside," said M. Bourdinave, in a lowered voice, which
+yet I heard, being next him. "Only think how we have been annoyed and
+injured the last two or three years, by edicts differing greatly from
+the Edict of Nantes. That one, for instance, which rendered us liable to
+the intrusion of Catholics into our temples, to spy at our observances,
+pick up scraps of our sermons, and report them incorrectly. What
+advantage the rabble have taken of it!"
+
+"Too true," said my father, gravely.
+
+"Last year," pursued M. Bourdinave, "that attempted confederacy for
+mutual protection, when all our closed meetinghouses were reopened for
+worship, showed what temper our adversaries were of."
+
+"It was an ill-considered measure," said my father, slowly.
+
+"Ill-conducted, rather," said M. Bourdinave. "The act should have been
+simultaneous; whereas the want of concert among our people betrayed
+their weakness, and laid them open to attack. The military at Bordeaux
+acted with shocking barbarity."
+
+"I do not like to think upon it," said my father. "I trust there will be
+no recurrence of such lamentable scenes."
+
+"I much fear there will be, though," said M. Bourdinave, gloomily.
+"Satan desires to have us, that he may sift us like wheat. Let us hope
+to abide the trial."
+
+At this moment a burst of noisy music, drowned their voices; and the
+needle-seller's horse, which was just before us, making a sudden start,
+the poor needle-vendor was thrown off his balance, and jerked out of his
+cart on to a heap of flints by the road-side, while his horse began to
+kick. Giving the reins to my father, I jumped out, and ran to his
+assistance; but he was so prickly all over, that it was difficult to lay
+hold of him. His needles and pins ran into my fingers in a dozen places.
+To make matters worse, his nose began to bleed, so that he was in a
+pitiable plight. However, I picked him up at last, found he was not
+seriously injured, gave him a clean handkerchief (which he promised to
+return), and started him off again in his cart, in a sitting position
+this time, and much crestfallen.
+
+The throng increased as we approached Beaucaire, and when we got into
+the streets there was frequently a complete stoppage. Oh, what a lively
+scene it was! and what a noise! Music playing, bells ringing, people
+talking at the top of their voices. What joyous meetings I what hearty
+welcomes! what various smells of fried fish, hot soups, and roast meats!
+Truly, the Fair of Beaucaire exceeded my liveliest imaginings, and yours
+will certainly never come up to it.
+
+The fair, you have perhaps heard, is held on a wide open ground between
+the Rhone and the castle rock. This space was covered with streets of
+booths and sheds, in which all kinds of merchandise were displayed.
+The river was choked with heavily-freighted barges. As for the streets,
+they were hung from their upper windows with the richest tapestries;
+silks, damasks, velvets, and goldsmiths' work were displayed in the
+richest abundance; the most costly valuables exposed, almost at the
+mercy of jostling wayfarers; banners flaunting overhead, and casting
+fleeting shadows beneath. Languages of all nations mingled in strange
+medley--German, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Arabic, Russian. Ah, it was
+like a dream!
+
+My uncle Nicolas received us most heartily; and, while my father and
+M. Bourdinave went about their affairs, I had the pleasing charge of the
+women, and showing them what was to be seen. My mother, with a child
+in each hand, Madeleine and I, each with another child, Gabrielle and
+old Alice close behind us, formed such a phalanx that we made way for
+ourselves, or had it made for us, wherever we went, and saw everything
+we wanted to see. We even saw the dentist, and Alice would not be foiled
+this time, but almost thrust herself on his notice. He made her sit on
+the ground, put her head between his knees and dragged out the tooth by
+main force. She screamed horribly, and said, "You engaged to give no
+pain!" "To myself," said he, "but I could not engage for you." So there
+was the laugh against her. However, the tooth was out, and he generously
+gave it to her; so we walked away laughing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+THE FEAST OF ST. MAGDALEN.
+
+
+We looked about us till dinner, and after dinner we looked about us
+again; for the women and children seemed as though they would never be
+sated with sightseeing; and as for me, I was never sated of going about
+with Madeleine. All at once she cried out in a frightened voice, "Where
+is Gabrielle?"
+
+We looked about and could see neither her nor Alice; and as it was
+nearly the hour they call vesper, though the days were still pretty
+long, we were greatly alarmed at their disappearance. Little Louison,
+however, plucked my sleeve, and said, "I think they went in there,"
+pointing to a church-door; so, although my father specially objected to
+my setting foot within a Catholic place of worship, Madeleine and I went
+in to look for her sister; but my mother kept the children outside. As
+soon as we entered we found ourselves almost in darkness, what little
+light there was proceeding from great wax candles; and there was a good
+deal of tawdry finery and trumpery all about, and a strong smell of
+incense. I was looking about me with curiosity and interest, mixed with
+a certain repulsion, when Madeleine, in an eager undertone, exclaimed,
+"There she is!" and pressed forward, I close following, to a little
+side-altar, where Gabrielle and Alice were listening, with amused
+wonder, to a priest, who was telling a group of people about him that
+what he was exhibiting to them was one of Mary Magdalen's bones; and
+that she and Lazarus, and Martha his sister, had put to sea in an old
+boat, and in process of time, after being sorely buffeted by winds and
+waves, had been cast ashore at Marseilles, where they preached the
+gospel to the natives, and converted them all.
+
+I did not believe one word of this, nor did Madeleine, who drew her
+reluctant sister away; and when we got her into the open air, rebuked
+her for doing what their father would not approve. Gabrielle looked
+inclined to defend herself, and make a joke of it. However, a great bell
+began to clang so near us as to drown her voice; people were pushing
+past us into church, and we found ourselves going against the stream,
+and made the best of our way out of it, and back to our quarters.
+My father and M. Bourdinave were standing at the door, conversing with
+my uncle, and when they saw us they smiled, and my father said, with
+unwonted softness in his tone, "Well, children, are you come back? Have
+you enjoyed yourselves?" and looked earnestly at Madeleine, whose eyes
+sank under his.
+
+My uncle Nicolas kept a mercer's shop, and his shelves and counters were
+now so laden with goods that it was difficult to steer our way through
+them to the steep stair which led to the floor above; and that, too, was
+converted, for the time, into a kind of warehouse; but above that was
+the living-room, and above that, again, numerous bedrooms with sloping
+sides, and small windows piercing the steep roof. My aunt Jeanne was
+good and hospitable to excess. She would not let M. Bourdinave and his
+family return to their lodging till they had supped with her, though
+there were other guests; so we were jammed rather closely around the
+table with little elbow-room. Then ensued clinking of glasses, clatter
+of plates, dishes, knives, forks, the buzzing of many tongues, savory
+smells of hot viands, and much helping and pressing of one another; much
+talk of the price of silks, velvets, and serges; of the credit of such
+and such a house; of the state of trade; of the court; and of the
+country. I, wedged between Madeleine and her sister, had the opportunity
+of giving her many tender looks, though few words passed between us.
+Among the strangers at table was a strangely unpleasant Englishman, who
+prefaced every speech with "I want to know--" and would not be satisfied
+with a short answer. At length my father mildly said--
+
+"Sir, you seek to know trade secrets. You know there are secrets in all
+trades."
+
+"That is precisely why I want to know them," said he, laughing.
+
+"But a good reason why we should not tell them," said my father; who
+then turned from him, and addressed some one else. Gabrielle whispered,
+"I shall call that man Monsieur I-want-to-know."
+
+"Ah, well, I know already what I chiefly want," pursued the Englishman,
+who, had he not been drinking more freely than was good for him, would
+probably have been less communicative. "I've been to Italy, and have
+seen the Italian machinery for throwing silk, and shall carry back a
+pretty good idea of the process."
+
+"That man shall never carry anything back," whispered a
+vindictive-looking Italian, whose eyes glittered like fire.
+
+"Hush! he is only an empty boaster."
+
+"We want no empty boasters. We will not let him steal our trade
+secrets."
+
+That night, going home to his lodging, the Englishman was set upon by
+the Italian, and pricked with his stiletto, narrowly escaping with his
+life. He gave him what he called "a good English black-eye," and bawled
+loudly for justice. The Italian ran off, and was no more seen; and the
+Englishman, whose ugly name was Hogg, talked big about applying to his
+ambassador, Sir William Trumbull, but was induced to let the matter
+drop. The ambassador shortly had worse things to complain of.
+
+The next day was the Catholic Feast of St. Magdalen, which, though we
+Huguenots felt no manner of respect for, we were obliged to conform to
+outwardly, by not selling or working in open shops, till the services
+of the day were over. We made up to ourselves for it by having a
+prayer-service of our own in-doors, followed by a long exposition and
+exhortation from a godly minister named Brignolles, who warned us of
+times of trial that should soon be revealed, and adjured us to put on
+the whole armor of God, that we might be able to withstand in the evil
+day, and having done all, to stand. Then, after our mid-day meal, we
+went forth to see the show.
+
+This time I had the care of Gabrielle, and wished I had not, for she was
+in her giddiest humor, and a young man, whose appearance I did not like,
+continually hung about us, and looked attentively at her, which I
+resented, but she was evidently pleased with. At length, some waxwork
+attracting our notice, a change took place in the disposition of our
+party. I shifted the charge of Gabrielle to her father, and got
+Madeleine instead. My memories of the rest of the day are more about
+Madeleine than anything else.
+
+I remember, though, that we fell in with our neighbors the Lefevres at
+a waxwork stall, and while Madeleine and I were admiring some fruit that
+exactly imitated nature, little Jules Lefevre stretched out his hand to
+touch a little waxen boy with a lamb, saying, "Pretty, pretty!"
+
+"Dear child, you shall have it!" cried a honeyed voice behind; and a
+lady nicely dressed put the image into his hand, and stooped down to
+kiss him. When Marie Lefevre turned round, and saw what her little boy
+held, she looked displeased, and made him lay it on the stall again, for
+it was one of those papistical images which we hold in detestation.
+
+At night, when all had dispersed but our own immediate party, there was
+a pause, and I saw that the elders had something on their minds that
+they were about to unfold. I felt a strange emotion that presaged what
+was coming, for not a hint had been dropped.
+
+"Son," said my father--and I looked towards him with awe--"you are now
+on the confines of manhood, and it behooves us to consider your future.
+At your time of life I was betrothed to your mother, and a share was
+promised me of my father's business. What are your own views respecting
+your course in life?"
+
+All the elder people fixed their eyes on me with gravity, and Madeleine
+afterwards told me her heart stopped beating; while Gabrielle struggled
+with a disposition to laugh.
+
+"My views are," returned I, boldly, "to follow my honored father,
+step by step, and, his concurrence obtained, to get betrothed as fast
+as I can."
+
+"Well said, my boy," said my father, heartily, while every face wore
+a broad smile but one, which was mantling with blushes.
+
+"Provided," continued I, "that I may choose the young lady."
+
+"Let us know where your choice will fall," said my father, trying to
+keep the corners of his mouth in order, while M. Bourdinave scarcely
+suppressed a chuckle.
+
+I stepped across the room, and took Madeleine's hand. "Here is my
+choice," said I, "if she will have me. We have known each other from
+childhood."
+
+Madeleine instantly snatched her hand away, and covered her face.
+However, the next moment her father joined our hands, and gave us his
+blessing; and then we were bewildered with congratulations and good
+auguries; and Master Brignolles gave us a world of good advice, and
+offered a prayer; and my father gave me a ring of betrothal to put on
+her finger, and thus we became plighted to one another.
+
+The rest of our stay at Beaucaire passed like a dream, and its
+brightness yet remained while we pursued our homeward journey. Madeleine
+sat close behind me this time, and on her knee was little Jules Lefevre,
+whom we had taken in charge of because his father's wagon was over-full.
+He had something clasped tight in his hand, which he unclosed for a
+moment at Madeleine's request, and gave her a glimpse of a little "Agnus
+Dei," which he said had been given him by "the pretty lady." How or when
+she had done so, we never made out. Madeleine tried to get it from him;
+but he resisted with all his might, saying it was "his own."
+
+"It must be confessed," said Gabrielle, "that the Catholic churches have
+much more in them to attract the eye than our plain temples."
+
+"Who denies it?" said I. "Their appeals are to the outward senses, which
+never influence the heart."
+
+"I think my heart would be very much influenced by them," said
+Gabrielle, "if I had not been brought up to think them wrong."
+
+"I cannot bear to hear you talk in that way, sister," said Madeleine.
+"Pray, do not seem indifferent to the blessings of a purer faith."
+
+Gabrielle pouted, and said, "Indifferent? no; but perhaps if you and I
+had been brought up Catholics, we might have been as positive we held
+the purer faith as we are now that we are of the Reformed."
+
+"A very good thing, then, that you were not so brought up," said I,
+"for then I should not have been betrothed to Madeleine;" and to prevent
+her pursuing so unpleasant a subject, I lifted up my voice and sang.
+Little Jules presently dropped asleep in Madeleine's arms, and his
+little fat fingers unclosing, the dangerous bauble dropped from them,
+and, by a dexterous touch of my whip, I flicked it into the road.
+By-and-by, awaking, he cried for it, and beat Madeleine with his tiny
+fists; nor was pacified till his attention was diverted by an almost
+interminable file of mules, with their five or six olive-faced muleteers
+in brown jackets and red sashes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+LES ARENES.
+
+
+When we got back, we found my uncle Chambrun, my mother's only brother,
+standing at the door. He was the minister of a small town near Avignon,
+and did not care to go to the Fair; nevertheless he was very glad to
+hear all about it from those who had been there. We were well pleased
+to have so ready a listener; and when we had said our say, he fell into
+grave talk with my father and mother of the signs of the times, which
+he thought very threatening.
+
+"What can we expect otherwise," said he, "with Louis the Fourteenth
+for king and Louvois for his minister, and Pere la Chaise for his
+confessor, and Madame de Maintenon for his confidante and adviser?
+A storm is gathering overhead, but never mind--there is a heaven higher
+than all." These words checked us; but youthful spirits soon rise, and
+the impression did not last long. I now seemed walking on air, for I
+loved and was loved by Madeleine.
+
+A few days after our return from Beaucaire, Marie Lefevre burst in on us
+with troubled looks, and exclaimed,
+
+"Have you seen my boy?"
+
+"No!" exclaimed we all.
+
+"Then something has befallen him," cried she, wringing her hands. "We
+have lost sight of him."
+
+We gathered about her, full of pity, and asked where he had last been
+seen.
+
+"Near Les Arenes."
+
+"He may have fallen into some pit, or lost himself among the dungeons,"
+said my mother. "We will go and help you to find him."
+
+So she and I accompanied Marie, who was crying bitterly, and made
+frequent inquiries for him by the way.
+
+When we got inside that vast, circular inclosure, we agreed that Marie
+should explore one side and we the other, and thus meet at the other
+end. This took us some time, for you must know that it consists of two
+stories, each of sixty arcades, seventy feet high; and under its great
+arches and pillars are many vaulted chambers and passages, wherein good
+Christians have been confined; and again, wherein other good Christians
+have found asylums in time of hot persecution. Within the amphitheatre
+were originally thirty-two rows of seats, which would accommodate at
+least twenty thousand spectators that had a mind to feast their eyes on
+scenes of blood in the central arena. I looked with curiosity at this
+place, which I had never so thoroughly visited before. Some of the dens
+were still in use for the bulls that were baited on Sundays, and others
+seemed lairs for rogues and vagabonds; but there was many a corner
+which, as I said to my mother, would afford a good hiding-place in time
+of danger, and one, especially, in which I thought a fugitive might defy
+detection (though _I_ had detected it).
+
+Well, we hunted high and low, but could not find little Jules. His
+mother was distracted: we feared she would lose her reason altogether.
+Madeleine devoted herself to her like an angel; neighbors were full of
+compassion--those of our own persuasion, I mean; for the Catholics
+mocked her and said, "Go seek him in the Jews' quarter. The Jew baker's
+daughter has, doubtless, made him into pies. Go seek him in their secret
+assemblies--in their cellars--in their slaughter-houses--doubtless they
+are fattening him for their Passover." Conceive the anguish of the
+mother.
+
+At length she found he was not dead. Her heart leaped for joy. But
+when she found how the case stood with him, she was ready to wish
+him dead and numbered among the little children that follow the Lamb
+whithersoever he goeth. Jules had been kidnapped and tampered with by
+the Catholics. The little apostate had been taught to curse his parents.
+
+The case occasioned a great deal of talk in Nismes at the time;
+unhappily, similar kidnappings made it soon forgotten, except by the
+family.
+
+One day, when I had been hunting for him, I came suddenly on the young
+man who had stared so rudely at Gabrielle at Beaucaire. I was sorry to
+see him in Nismes. I did not like the look of him, with his narrow head,
+low forehead, and eyes too near his nose, though otherwise he was well
+enough. Returning to our factory, I found him just coming out of it.
+I said to my father, "Who is that?" He said, "A troublesome fellow,
+I think, but he brought a message from your uncle Nicolas. He is called
+Martin Prunevaux. He asked me all manner of impertinent questions, and,
+if he fall in with you, may ask you as many; but remember Jaques Coeur's
+motto,
+
+  "'En close bouche
+  N'entre mouche--'
+
+"And again, 'Dire, faire, taire.'"
+
+"Ay, ay, father, you may depend on me," said I, heartily.
+
+Sometimes, before I went to bed, I stepped out to get a glimpse of the
+light in Madeleine's window. I should observe, it was also Gabrielle's,
+for the sisters shared the same room. The moon cast strong lights and
+shadows, and I kept in the shade till close to the house, when what was
+my disgust to hear the wretched tinkle of a guitar under the window!
+Serenades might be all very well for Italy, but we did not favor them
+in Nismes; and stepping briskly up to the musician, I said abruptly,
+"We want none of this miserable noise!"
+
+He started as if shot, saying, "Pardon, monsieur," evidently taking
+me for one of the family; a mistake which I favored by knocking at the
+door. As I was in deep shadow he did not recognize me, but the moonlight
+fell full on his face, and I saw it was Martin Prunevaux. I felt
+exceedingly inclined to fall on him and beat him for daring to tune his
+wretched pipes under Madeleine's window; but a second thought assured me
+that Gabrielle must be his object; the more so that I was sure I saw her
+shadow (which was shorter than her sister's) fall on the curtain, and
+I could even fancy her making merry behind it. Still, I liked not such a
+fellow to come prowling about either of the sisters. I stood my ground,
+that I might not be guilty of a runaway knock, and when Alice came to
+the door I made a bungling speech and said, "Oh, I suppose the family
+are all gone to bed. I am late tonight." She said, "They are so, sir,"
+and looked surprised. I said, "There was a street musician of some sort
+before the house when I came up. I think I have chased him away." She
+said, "All the better, sir; we are much obliged to you; we never
+encourage such people."
+
+When I rallied Madeleine, next day, on having been serenaded, tears
+sprang into her eyes, and she assured me it was not her fault, adding
+that she feared Gabrielle, in her thoughtlessness, must have given some
+encouragement to a presumptuous young man. "However, when my father
+returns, he will take measures," she added, "to prevent our being
+further troubled with him." Monsieur Bourdinave was at this time
+traveling on business.
+
+The sisters spent that evening at our house as was not unusual. On these
+occasions we often sang hymns; and I had just set the tune of "Chantez
+de Dieu le renom"--
+
+
+  "Chantez de Dieu le renom,
+  Vous serviteurs du Seigneur!
+  Venez pour lui faire honneur,
+  Vous qui avez eu ce don"--
+
+
+and was lifting up my voice on high, followed by the sweet treble of the
+girls, when a shower of stones rattled against the casement, and a flint
+passed close to Madeleine and hit my father on the cheekbone. Hot with
+anger, I rushed into the street, and found a group of unmannerly fellows
+outside, who, instead of taking to their heels, gathered round me with
+defiant looks.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" cried I in anger.
+
+"What is the meaning of your disturbing the neighborhood with your
+uproar?" cried one of them, saucily.
+
+"Uproar! We were singing to the praise and glory of God. Do you know
+that you have hurt my father?"
+
+"We neither know nor care; and if you don't keep a quiet tongue in your
+head, will slit it as soon as not."
+
+"Come in, son, come in," said my father, whose cheek was covered with
+blood. "As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men"--drawing
+me indoors as he spoke.
+
+"Excellent advice! Take care that he follows it," cried they,
+tauntingly, as my father shut-to the door. I was burning with rage;
+Madeleine was in tears; the children, with scared looks, were gathered
+round my mother. My father, with gentle force, drew me into the little
+circle, and made me sit down beside him.
+
+"My children," said he, "we have been warned that evil times are coming,
+and this may be the beginning. If it prove otherwise, we shall have the
+more reason to praise the Lord; but if it please Him to try and to prove
+us, let us not be found unprepared. Our strength lies in prayer, in not
+giving offence, and in not being easily offended."
+
+"We gave no offence, father," said I.
+
+"But you were too easily offended. If any one had cause of complaint, it
+was I; but I do not take it up."
+
+My mother was meanwhile bathing his cut cheek and applying a plaster.
+
+"Sure, it would make any son's blood boil, to see his father hit!" cried
+I; and I saw that Madeleine sympathized with me.
+
+"Why, then, let his blood cool again," said my father, jocularly. "Tush,
+many a school-boy gets a worse hurt than this, and makes no moan. There!
+your mother has made all right, and I feel no smart. Let us say no more
+about it."
+
+I thought he strikingly acted on our Lord's axiom of "If thine enemy
+smite thee on the one cheek, offer him the other," but could not just
+then enter into it. I longed to give those rascals a good beating.
+
+"Now, then, I'll set the tune again," said I, affecting composure.
+
+But, "No, no," said the girls simultaneously; and "No, no," said my dear
+mother. "Don't you see," she continued, "I have all this broken glass to
+pick up? If you will do me a real kindness, you will step round to the
+glazier, the first thing in the morning, and get him to mend the window
+before breakfast."
+
+"I'll go at once," said I; but "No, no," was again the word. My father
+laid his hand firmly on my right arm, and Madeleine hers on my left.
+Though her touch was as light as a snow-flake, I would not have shaken
+it off for the world.
+
+"The streets are unquiet to-night," said my father, "and I mean no one
+to go forth till the girls return home, when we will see them safely to
+their door; going out the back way."
+
+So we spent the next hour in a sober, subdued manner. Madeleine shyly
+let me steal her hand and hold it some minutes, as though she knew it
+would calm me. And so it did; there was much sweetness in that hour,
+after all.
+
+At length it was time to see them home; my mother kissed and blessed
+them as if they were going further than into the next street. We went
+out the back way, my father taking Gabrielle and I Madeleine, and we met
+with no evil by the way. Being rather high-wrought, I would willingly
+have faced a little danger for Madeleine's sake.
+
+I kissed her soft cheek unrebuked, and followed my father through the
+dark with a happy heart Mechanically, rather than from either devotion
+or defiance, I began to hum "Chantez de Dieu," when my father's warning
+hand plucked my sleeve, and, at the same instant, a rough voice beside
+me said, "Hold your peace! Have you not heard of the _arret?_" and
+passed on.
+
+We had heard nothing of any _arret_; but next morning, when I went
+to the glazier's, he told me that an order had been issued forbidding
+the Reformed to sing psalms in the streets and public walks, or even
+within their own houses loud enough to be heard outside. And he told
+me he was so full of work that he hardly knew which way to turn, in
+consequence of the many windows broken over night by evil-disposed men
+suborned to interrupt psalmody. I asked him, half jesting, if he thought
+any of the suborned men were glaziers; but it hurt him, for he was as
+good a Huguenot as any in Nismes.
+
+Going home with him, I saw a horrid sight--a dead body that had been
+some time buried, torn from the grave, stripped of its shroud, and lying
+in the gutter. I shuddered, and asked the glazier if we had not better
+tell the authorities; but he hurried on, saying, "Better let it be. The
+authorities doubtless know all about it." So there had we to leave the
+ghastly object, though its remaining there was equally prejudicial to
+decency and to health.
+
+Men's tongues were very busy that day; every one foreboding calamity and
+nobody knowing how to meet it.
+
+My mother sent me, after breakfast, to visit my uncle Chambrun, who had
+fallen sick; and as the distance was about seven leagues, I went to him
+on a small but active horse. On my arrival, I found him in bed, with a
+royal commissioner seated beside him, who was talking to him with great
+show of courtesy, while my uncle looked much wearied. The bishop of
+Valence was on the other side of his bed. Finding myself in such high
+company, I fell back, and awaited a better opportunity of presenting
+myself.
+
+The commissioner was inquiring very sedulously after my uncle's health,
+and assuring him he respected him greatly, and wished to show him favor.
+
+"We have been constrained," said he, "to subject several of your
+colleagues to temporary confinement, but I have great hope that nothing
+of the kind will be necessary in your case, if you are a man of wisdom
+who know how to comply with exigencies as they arise, and thereby set an
+example to those around you. To this end the bishop has come to put a
+few easy interrogations. It is a mere form, and I am sure you will make
+no difficulty."
+
+My uncle thanked him for his kind expressions, but said he had a Master
+in heaven to whom he owed his first duty.
+
+"So have we all," interposed the bishop. And that he should make answer
+with that end in view and nothing else.
+
+The bishop then took up the word, and very little can I remember of what
+he said, so hampered was I by his presence; but it was plain that he
+sought to entangle my uncle in his talk. That was no easy thing to do,
+my uncle was so temperate and logical, and so much more conversant with
+the Holy Scriptures than the bishop was.
+
+The commissioner, perceiving that the bishop was getting the worst of
+it, broke in with--
+
+"All this is beside the mark. The king is determined that you, Monsieur
+Chambrun, should be a good Catholic; so it is no good begging off. You
+had much better accept the good offer made you, which I trust you will
+do on thinking it over."
+
+"The only offer I desire," replied my uncle, "is of a passport, to
+enable me, as soon as I am well enough, to follow my brother ministers
+to Holland. My reason tells me--"
+
+"A truce with your reason," interrupted the bishop, rising to go away.
+"You have too much rhetoric by half. I advise you to reflect and to
+obey."
+
+"Monseigneur, I am sure you think you are giving me the best advice,"
+said my uncle, feebly. "Nephew, see the noble and reverend gentlemen
+out."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+MY UNCLE CHAMBRUN.
+
+
+Having done so, I returned to my uncle, and said to him,--"Uncle, the
+bishop has gone away in great wrath, vowing that you shall repent of
+your conduct."
+
+"And when I would have made way for him," said my aunt, indignantly,
+"he called me a bad name, and looked as if I were the very scum of
+the earth."
+
+"Ah, he does not recognize marriages among the clergy," said my uncle,
+calmly. "Never mind him, my good Dorothee; he'd be glad enough to have a
+wife of his own, and seeing me so much better off than he is, makes him
+captious and querulous. Come and shake up my pillow, for my poor head
+aches sadly. I will try to get a little sleep."
+
+At that instant, a loud trampling of horses' feet was heard, together
+with the jingling of spurs and the clanking of armor.
+
+"What's that?" cried Aunt Dorothee, running from the bed to the window,
+and pulling back the little curtain, "Ah, le beau spectacle! Look out,
+Jacques!"
+
+It was indeed a fine spectacle, as far as mere outward splendor went,
+to see a troup of cavalry in blue and burnished steel, on powerful black
+horses, ride proudly by, making the very earth shake under them; and
+many children, attracted by the sight, ran towards them, shouting and
+throwing up their caps; but when I looked at the ferocious faces of
+these men, seamed with many an ugly scar--their lowering brows, their
+terrible eyes, their sour aspect--I felt they might be as dreadful to
+face in peace as in war. I watched them out of sight, and then placed
+myself beside my uncle, who, with closed eyes and folded hands, was
+endeavoring to sleep. My aunt went below to baste the poulet for his
+dinner. The house was very still; nothing was to be heard but the
+ticking of the clock.
+
+All at once I heard heavy feet tramping towards the house, and a
+confused medley of rough voices. The next instant, the house door was
+battered as if to break it in, which, being of solid oak, was no easy
+matter. The door being opened, I heard a faint cry of terror from my
+aunt, and a brawling and trampling impossible to describe. I looked down
+from the stair-head and counted forty-two dragoons, trampling in one
+after another, till, the house being of moderate size, there was hardly
+room for them to stand. Yet they continued to pour in, jostling,
+pushing, and elbowing one another, each trying to shout louder than his
+comrades, "Hola! hola! House! house!--Give us to eat! Give us to drink!"
+with frightful oaths and curses.
+
+"Good sirs, a moment's patience, and you shall be waited on," cried my
+terrified aunt.
+
+"To Jericho with your patience! We wait for nobody. I decide for this
+poulet," said one, taking it up hot in his hands, and bawling because
+they were burnt; "dress two dozen more--cook all you have in the
+poultry-yard, or we will cook you."
+
+"I claim my share of that poulet," says one.
+
+"Why not have one apiece?" said another. "Who would make two bites of a
+cherry? He has gnawn off all the best mouthfuls already. Come, be quick,
+mistress housewife! Where are the cellar keys?"
+
+"I've mislaid them, good sirs," said the poor terrified woman.
+
+"We'll kick the door open, then. Here's a ham! here are two hams! Ha!
+ha! ham is good--we will heat the copper and boil them."
+
+"No, slice them and fry them," says another; "they take too long to
+boil. Bread!--where's the bread? Where's the oven? If it were big
+enough, goody, we'd put you into it."
+
+"Ha! ha! what have I found here!--a bag of money."
+
+"Divide! divide!" shouted two dozen voices.
+
+"It's mine, I found it!" cried the first. Then they fell to blows,
+and some of them fell sprawling to the ground, and were kicked, the bag
+was snatched from the finder, and the money scattered on the floor;
+then they scrambled for it, as many as could get near it, laughing and
+cursing; while others ransacked drawers, cupboards, and shelves, and
+others broke open the cellar door, and began to drink.
+
+Terrified beyond expression, I went back to my uncle, and saw, to my
+surprise and relief, that he had fallen into a heavy sleep, which was
+a restorative he particularly needed. On looking from the window,
+I say my aunt, almost incapacitated by her fears, attempting to catch
+the poultry, in which the dragoons alternately helped and hindered her,
+roaring with laughter when a hen flew shrieking over their heads, and
+then abusing my aunt. They were quickly caught and plucked, and set,
+some to roast, some to broil, according to their capricious mandates;
+and then, when everything was in as fair train for their disorderly
+feast as it well could be (two or three additional fires having been
+kindled), one of them said, "Let us divert the time with a little good
+music;" and began to beat a drum.
+
+"Louder! louder!" cried his comrades. "Let's have a chorus of drums!"
+How they came to have so many, I know not, except that they were brought
+for the special purpose of tormenting; but they produced six or eight,
+slung them round their necks, and began to beat them, crying,--
+
+"Now for the tour of the house!"
+
+"Sure my uncle must be dead!" thought I, leaning over him anxiously. But
+no, his breath came and went, though inaudibly, and had he been allowed
+to finish his sleep in peace it might have been for his healing.
+
+Instead of this, I heard the dragoons come stamping upstairs, producing
+a muffled roll on their drums that sounded like muttering thunder. They
+went into one room after another, and speedily reached that of my uncle,
+on catching sight of whom they triumphantly exclaimed, "Hah! ha! v'la
+notre ami! Here is he whom we seek, and for whom we prepare the
+reveille." And ranging themselves round his bed in a moment of time, in
+spite of a warning gesture from me, it being impossible for my voice to
+be heard, they simultaneously beat their drums with a clangor that might
+have waked the dead. No wonder, therefore, that my poor uncle started
+from his sleep bewildered, terrified, and looking as if he believed
+himself in some horrid dream. In vain he moved his lips, in vain he
+raised his clasped hands to one and another, as if in supplication; the
+more distress he showed the more noise they made, till it seemed to me
+as if my eardrums would split. In the midst of it all up came my aunt,
+whose fortitude and presence of mind at that moment I can never
+sufficiently admire; and with forced smiles and courteous gestures made
+them to understand, in dumb show, that the first course of their meal
+was served. Instantly the drums ceased; one of them seized her by the
+shoulders, and hurried her down stairs before him, the others clattering
+after him. I turned, and saw my uncle raise his eyes and hands to
+heaven, and fall back on his pillow.
+
+There was now a lull, while the viands were being consumed; but soon a
+new uproar arose--the supply was inadequate for the demand: every morsel
+of food in the house was consumed at one sitting, and yet there was not
+nearly enough. The dragoons were furious: they gathered about my aunt,
+pulling her hair, threatening her with their fists, threatening to boil
+her in her own copper, and set fire to the house, with her sick husband
+in it, if she did not procure an ample supply. With matchless patience
+she looked one after another in the face, said, "Attendez, attendez,
+messieurs, s'il vous plait;" and then, calling me down, bid me go forth
+and beg of my neighbors as much food as I could.
+
+When wondering much at my aunt's fortitude and self-possession, she
+afterwards told me that she lifted her heart to God in earnest prayer,
+and there came to her the comforting remembrance of these words.
+"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for
+theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
+
+Alas! what a scene presented itself out of doors. The people were
+running up and down in despair; a woman rushed wildly out of her house,
+and seized me by the arm, crying, "They are batooning my husband!"
+Another shrieked from a window, 'Help, help, they are killing my
+father!' Children ran about the streets, crying, "Oh, my father!--oh,
+my mother!" It seemed a heartless task to be going from one to another
+begging something to eat under such piteous circumstances; and yet how
+knew I that as bad or worse a tragedy might be acted at my uncle's if
+I failed to supply what was wanted?
+
+At length I returned, staggering under the weight of a huge cheese and a
+bag of chestnuts. And though I was reviled for not bringing them better
+cheer, yet I pacified them by smiling like my aunt, and echoing her
+"Attendez, messieurs, s'il vous plait;" and started forth again on my
+foraging expedition, though very doubtful of having anything to bring
+back.
+
+How long were these horrible men going to stay? How could we go on
+supplying their wants at this rate? If their orders were to eat my uncle
+out of house and home, and drive him and my aunt to distraction, would
+it not be just as well to let them do so at once, and have done with it?
+
+One and another to whom I applied were so full of their own griefs that
+I had to listen to what they had to say before they would or could hear
+a word from me in return. One had been hung up by his feet over a
+chimney; another had a knife held to his throat; one had seen her little
+infant nearly strangled; another had been dragged along the ground by
+her hair. I could not help pitying them sincerely, but not so much as
+I should have done, but for the sad plight of my uncle. When I, with a
+kind of wrench, forced the talk into the subject of what was going on at
+his house, they, through their great love for him, forgot for a moment
+their own trials in thinking of his; and those who had anything to
+contribute brought it out, and those who had nothing to spare made up
+for it in pity. All this consumed so much time that when I got back it
+was nearly dark, and the house was all in a blaze with lights, for the
+dragoons had lighted candles all over the house; and some of them were
+stupid with drink, and lying in heaps; others were rendered quarrelsome
+by it, and fighting and abusing one another; but as for the drummers,
+they never ceased. They were at it when I set forth, they were at it
+while I was away, they were at it when I came back again, and stared at
+the good things I spread out before them without once staying their
+drumsticks. I was so sick of it by this time, and so unable to disguise
+my disgust and anger, that I persuaded myself I might as well return
+home, for that I could do no good where I was, and things could get no
+worse without me. So I went up to my aunt, who was then sitting like
+a stone image, without seeming able to hear or see anything, and made
+signs of leave-taking. She grasped my hand in both hers, and looked up
+so piteously at me, her lips moving as if with the words "do not go,"
+that I felt I must stay by her, come what would. For was she not my
+mother's sister-in-law? and was not my uncle my mother's brother? I made
+a sign I would remain, on which she kissed my hands; and then I patted
+her on the shoulder, and could not help letting fall a tear. Then she
+got up, and bestirred herself for the men, hoping, no doubt, they would
+intermit their drumming if she could but conciliate them. But as soon
+as one relay ceased drumming another took it up; and thus, shameful to
+relate, they continued the whole night without intermission, crowding
+round my uncle's bed, making his room intolerably hot and close, and
+pushing in and out of the room and up and down the stairs.
+
+My uncle now lay in a kind of torpor; the expression of his face painful
+to witness; his wan hands lying outside the counterpane, and now and
+then slightly moving, which showed me he still lived. Towards daybreak
+I was so worn out that I dropped asleep as I sat beside him with my
+face on the edge of his pillow--such deep sleep that I neither heard
+nor dreamed of the drumming. When I woke, with a strangely confused,
+unrefreshed feeling, the daylight was faintly making its way into the
+room, which had no one in it but my uncle, my aunt, and me. She seemed
+to have crawled with difficulty to the foot of his bed, and there sunk
+and fallen asleep I went out on the landing--candles were burning in
+their sockets with a vile smell--the house was full of vile smells
+and of confusion and disorder--the house-door stood ajar--one or two
+dragoons lay sleeping heavily on the ground. I went up again to tell
+my aunt, and found her straightening my uncle like a corpse. At the
+same moment a dragoon came up behind me. He was going to recommence the
+disturbance, when I pointed to the bed, and said, sternly, "See what you
+have done. You may now go away satisfied with having made this lately
+peaceful family completely wretched. God grant you forgiveness ere you
+are laid out like those cold remains."
+
+The dragoon looked confounded. He muttered something, turned on his
+heel, said something to his companions below, and we presently saw them
+run out of the house. I went and shut the door. On returning I saw my
+uncle was not dead. Their thinking him so was a mercy, since it gave
+him a little respite. He was too weak to be moved, but he begged me to
+return home and tell what had happened to my parents: adding, as I left
+him, "Do not make the affair worse than it is." I thought it would be
+difficult to do that.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE PASSPORT.
+
+
+When I reached home it was some hours after sunrise. The dragoons, just
+recalled from the Spanish frontier, where they were no longer wanted,
+were spreading themselves over the country with the express commission
+to harass the Huguenot inhabitants as much as possible, short of death,
+but had not yet reached Nismes.
+
+I entered my father's house. Contrary to custom, he was not at the
+factory, but awaiting my return. He rose when I appeared, and stood
+silently looking at me, while my mother put her hands on my shoulders,
+and looked piteously in my face.
+
+"Son, thou hast been out all night."
+
+"At my uncle's, mother. He was ill in bed; the dragoons were there; and
+my aunt begged me to stay as a safeguard."
+
+"You did quite right to comply, my boy," said my father, heartily.
+"I trust the dragoons did not misuse thy good uncle."
+
+"I know not what you call misusing," replied I, "if beating their
+drums round his bed all night did not deserve that term. They almost
+killed him with their clamor--ate everything in the house--called for
+more--reviled my aunt--scrambled for her money--broke open the cellar,
+and drank every drop it contained."
+
+I spoke this so fast as to be almost unintelligible; they listened in
+silent dismay. My father, then bidding me be seated, desired me to go
+over the whole matter from the beginning, with composure and method.
+Having drunk a cup of water, I did so; and we then held a family
+council, in which it was decided that my uncle, in his precarious
+health, would probably sink under a similar attack of the dragoons,
+and that it would be expedient for me to return to him at dusk with a
+covered cart, well supplied with hay, and to place him thereon and bring
+him back with me, to be kept at our house, in secresy and safety, till
+he should be able to escape from the kingdom--"though this would have
+been an easier matter to effect," observed my father, "before he had
+made himself personally obnoxious to the bishop."
+
+My father then went to his daily business at the silk-factory, while I
+remained behind awhile with my mother, to assist her in clearing out a
+loft for my uncle's reception, the entrance to which could be concealed.
+
+I then paid a hasty visit to Madeleine, whom I found bathed in tears,
+as she had learnt from my mother that I had been away all night; and
+though this at another time would have occasioned no alarm, yet at
+a season of so much uneasiness she had foreboded some sad calamity.
+My sudden appearance caused a fresh flow of tears, but they were of
+thankfulness for my safety. A few tender words reassured her. I then
+gave her a short account of what had passed, taking care, as my uncle
+desired me, not to make things worse than they were. But still it was
+evident that he was marked for the victim of a persecution he was not
+in a condition to support; and as Madeleine had a sincere regard for
+him, which his character justly merited, she commended me for standing
+by him, and rejoiced that I was going to fetch him to our house.
+
+"We have not been quite undisturbed, even during your short absence,"
+said she. "Our evening service was yesterday interrupted, just as the
+congregation were in the middle of a psalm, by several officials rudely
+entering the temple, and commanding us to desist, because the Host was
+being carried by."
+
+"In the temper in which those in authority seem to be at present," said
+I, "it is to be feared that things will grow worse before they mend."
+
+"Meanwhile, remember your father's admonition, I entreat you," said
+Madeleine; "and, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
+
+"Rely on it, sweet Madeleine," said I. "I am a man of peace, not of war."
+
+Cheered by my little interview with her, I proceeded to my usual work,
+and, after supping with my family, stole quietly forth on my mission.
+
+I reached the neighboring town without misadventure, and, leaving the
+cart out of sight, raised my uncle's latch and went in. He and my aunt
+had the house to themselves (for their only servant had gone to her
+friends); and she was sitting on the bed, supporting his head on her
+shoulder.
+
+"Here's Jacques," said she, looking up.
+
+"Jacques, my good lad," said my uncle, holding out his feeble hand,
+"I thank you for this visit, and yet more for staying with us last
+night."
+
+"You have not noticed any of the dragoons lurking about outside,
+I hope?" said my aunt, anxiously.
+
+"No," said I, "all seems quiet at present; but there is no knowing
+when they will return, and my parents have sent me to fetch you away.
+My mother declares she shall know no peace till she has you under her
+roof."
+
+"My good boy, I can no more go to her than I can fly," said my uncle.
+
+"Oh yes, uncle, you can. I have brought you a nice covered cart, filled
+with hay, on which you will lie quite easily, and I will carry you down
+to it on my back."
+
+My uncle and aunt were most thankful for this, and, after very little
+preparation, closed the shutters of the little dwelling, and turned the
+key on it. My uncle was made tolerably comfortable, with my aunt seated
+beside him; and in this way we stealthily quitted the neighborhood.
+I could hear uproarious voices in the distance, and occasionally a faint
+scream or wail, but gradually left these painful sounds behind. To say
+truth, I was by no means sure of our performing this journey in safety,
+and had many alarms by the way; and as for my uncle, my aunt afterwards
+told me he was in prayer the whole of the way, to which might probably
+be ascribed our safety; for ours is a God that heareth prayer, not
+when it is a mere babble of words, in a language we do not understand,
+repeated over and over again, and made a merit of; but His ears are
+attent unto the cry of the contrite heart, and the prayer of them that
+are sorrowful.
+
+It was far into the night, or rather near morning, when we reached our
+journey's end. My father cautiously admitted us; my mother received the
+fugitives with the tenderest affection. A hot supper awaited them, after
+partaking which they were thankful to retire to the loft; and not even
+the children were to know they were there, and the youngest of our two
+servants had been sent to her home; for my father told me that the
+dragoons were expected to pay us a visit shortly, when the premises
+would doubtless be ransacked; "and since your uncle has borne the
+journey better than might have been expected," said he, "the sooner
+we can get him out of the country the better."
+
+He then told me what plans he had been devising for this purpose, and
+that if my uncle were equal to it on the morrow, I should set him and my
+aunt on their way to a certain point, which, if they reached in safety,
+they would then be cared for.
+
+"The greatest difficulty," said he, "is about a passport; but that may
+possibly be procured on the frontier, for the great object of government
+seems to be to chase all our godly ministers out of the kingdom, that
+their flocks, deprived of their strengthening exhortations, may fall an
+easier prey."
+
+While he thus spoke, a noise at the door, as if some one were hammering
+on it with his fist, made us start.
+
+"Who's there?" said my father, without withdrawing the bolt.
+
+"Your neighbor Romilly," returned the other; and we, knowing his voice,
+let him in.
+
+"Neighbor, I have traveled far and fast," said he, "and would not go
+home without looking in to tell you the bad news. They are carrying
+things hardly at Arles and Usez, and you had better warn M. Chambrun
+he is in danger."
+
+My father changed countenance.
+
+"He and his wife are with us at this moment," said he.
+
+"They must depart, then," said Romilly, "and without loss of time, or
+she will not be allowed to go with him. See, here is a passport," said
+he, dubiously smiling, "which will do for him as well as the person for
+whom it was intended. He shall have it."
+
+We thanked him warmly, and after a little more eager talk, he hurried
+homeward. Day was now breaking, and I threw myself on my bed for a short
+sleep. When I awoke, my dear mother was beside me.
+
+"Your uncle is awake, and talking to your father," said she, softly. "He
+refuses the passport, because it was not made out for himself, saying he
+will not do an evil that good may come."
+
+"This is sheer madness," said I, springing up.
+
+"It is consistency," said my mother. "We are now on the brink of a great
+struggle between the powers of light and darkness. Those who feel they
+have no strength of their own to meet it with, and do not care to seek
+it from above, will probably give in at the very first word--certainly
+do so sooner or later; but those whose adhesion to God's cause is of any
+worth, will brace themselves for the encounter, knowing that He can and
+will arm them for the fight."
+
+"You approve my uncle's making a point of conscience, then, of this?"
+
+"I must say I do, though your father is angry with him for it. Perhaps,
+during the day, we may yet get him a proper passport; for if the
+authorities are so anxious to get rid of our godly ministers, surely
+they will not hinder their departure. However that may be, you are to
+convey your uncle and aunt towards the coast tonight."
+
+"She goes with him, then?"
+
+"She will not leave him. They have lost all their money, but we have
+made a little purse for them. Oh, my child, what times are these! You
+have scarcely had any rest these two nights; but do not forget to say
+your morning prayers."
+
+And kissing my forhead, she left me, that I might obey her injunction.
+
+It may be said that trade was at a standstill that day. The weaver at
+his loom, the jeweler behind his counter, the baker at his
+kneading-trough, all thought and talked but of one subject, the expected
+visitation of the dragoons.
+
+My father, with vexation, gave me back the passport, saying, "Your uncle
+will not use it, so you must return it to Romilly."
+
+Romilly raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders when I did so,
+saying, "What will he do, then?"
+
+"I know not. Take his chance, I suppose."
+
+"Here, take you it," said he, thrusting it into my pocket "He may be
+glad of it at the end."
+
+It was a sad day. Mothers were weeping over their new-born infants; men
+were talking to one another in anger and sorrow. The Catholics were
+already carrying their heads high, and smiling scornfully as we passed
+them. I thought, "Oh that we were in a desert, all to ourselves, with
+none to impugn our faith!" But then I called to mind that without
+needing to be in a desert, people might dwell in happy countries where
+each man's faith is respected and tolerated. I hoped my uncle would
+safely reach one of these happy countries; but yet one's native land is
+very dear after all!
+
+Twilight came; the parting took place amid tears and embraces and
+benedictions; and soon I was driving my good uncle and aunt towards the
+coast. We had gone some miles, when a man, scarcely distinguishable in
+the dark, emerged from a corner and said, "Who goes there?"
+
+I was greatly alarmed, but my uncle, recognizing the voice, said, "Oh,
+Joseph, is it thou? Whither art thou bound?"
+
+"Fleeing for my life," said Joseph, "as I take it you are doing. It is
+well you have escaped, though I cannot make out how you come to be so
+far on the road. I have just left your neighborhood; the dragoons are
+turning your house out of window."
+
+"Give him a lift, Jacques," said my uncle to me; "the poor man is
+weary." Finding him to be one of my uncle's flock, I readily did so;
+the more that his tone and words betokened honesty.
+
+"Sir, you are doubtless going to join your brother-ministers," said
+Joseph. "Have you a passport?"
+
+"I have not, but I hope to get one on the frontier, or find some other
+path open to me," said my uncle.
+
+"Let us trust the 'other path' may open, then," said Joseph, "for most
+vexatious obstacles are being thrown in the way of our ministers on the
+frontier; they are either refused passports altogether, or such as they
+are provided with are declared worthless."
+
+"Romilly's passport, then, will be no good," thought I, and I was musing
+on the moral advantage to my uncle of his having refused to use it from
+the first, when Joseph in alarm cried--
+
+"Hist--I hear some one galloping hard after us. Let us whip on as fast
+as we can."
+
+But we had just reached the foot of a heavy ascent, and the pursuer
+gained upon us, and presently came up panting.
+
+"Is Minister Chambrun here?" cried he, breathlessly.
+
+"Who are you that ask?" returned I. At the same instant my uncle cried--
+
+"Yes, here I am. What is it?"
+
+"What a dance you have led me!" cried the messenger. "I come from the
+commissioner, who sends you a passport, and desires you to go to
+Bordeaux as fast as you can."
+
+What a smile broke over my uncle's face!
+
+"Said I not," cried he, joyfully, "that a path would doubtless open for
+me? Henceforth, my children, never distrust the Lord."
+
+His course was now altered. Instead of making for the nearest coast,
+now within a few miles, on the borders of the Mediterranean, he decided
+to proceed with all convenient speed to Montauban, where my aunt had
+friends, thence down the Garonne, and so to Bordeaux. I could but set
+him on his way and trust his future course to the same good Providence
+that had hitherto protected him. My aunt was decided to follow his
+fortunes, happen what would.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+TRIAL BY FIRE.
+
+
+Day was far spent before I got back, my horse having gone lame. There
+seemed unusual disturbance in the town; I distinguished a distant hum of
+many voices, and all at once a shrill cry that made me shudder, followed
+by the passionate wailing of children, and the incessant barking of
+dogs. I took the back way to our house, where lay our stable, and
+entering the little yard, saw to my dismay six or eight cavalry horses
+standing in it. I sprang from my cart and hurried into the house, on the
+threshold of which my little brother Charles met me all in tears, and
+cried, "Oh, they're burning mamma!"
+
+I burst into the kitchen; there was a roaring fire on the hearth, which
+a dragoon was feeding with handfuls of paper torn from our great family
+Bible; but there were also great billets of wood burning, which threw
+out intense heat, and close in front of it was placed my mother, penned
+in with heavy pieces of furniture, while two dragoons in front of her
+were thrusting their clenched fists in her face, saying, "Now then, you
+obstinate woman! will you roast like a pig, or say where he is gone?"
+
+My mother looked immovable as stone, but directly I entered, I saw her
+change countenance a little. My father lay on the ground, bound hand and
+foot, while a dragoon was preparing to beat him with a heavy bridle.
+
+"Ah, ah, here is the young cub," cried they as I entered; "here is the
+young fellow that was attending on his uncle!" Then, with more bad
+language than I choose to repeat, they bade me tell where I had carried
+him, unless I would see my mother roasted alive.
+
+"Out of your reach," said I, boldly; "so now let my mother go free," and
+springing towards her, I released her before they could throw themselves
+upon me. The next minute, we were rolling on the ground, but, as my
+mother for the moment was safe, I did not mind the blows I was getting,
+but returned them with a fire-iron that lay within reach. I dealt blows
+with such a will that for a time I had the advantage, never ceasing to
+shout, "Never fear, mother! All's safe! he's on the wide sea. Fly with
+the children and leave me to deal with these gentry."
+
+This so enraged them that they redoubled their violence; no wonder,
+then, that I was got down at last, bound hand and foot, and my feet made
+bare to receive the bastinado. Before they laid it on, they put the
+question to me:
+
+"Wilt thou now, then, recant thine accursed doctrines?"
+
+"What doctrines?" said I, to gain time.
+
+"Those that are falsely called reformed."
+
+"Oh yes, all that are falsely called reformed."
+
+They stood at pause on this, and looked at one another.
+
+"He gives in," muttered one.
+
+"Not a bit," replied another. "He is only lying."
+
+"Well but, mark you, that's no matter of ours," said the first.
+
+"I tell you it is!" roared the second, pushing him aside. "Let me take
+him in hand. You don't know how to question him." Then accosting me, in
+a defiant sort of way (he was far from sober), he said,
+
+"Hark ye, young man. Now answer for your life. Give us no double
+meanings. What is your religion?"
+
+"That which was brought us and taught us by our Lord Jesus Christ."
+
+"Do you believe in St. Peter?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"And in the Virgin Mother of God?"
+
+"The angel Gabriel called her blessed among women."
+
+"But do you worship her?"
+
+"I reverence her, and worship her Divine Son."
+
+"Do you worship her, I say?" threatening me with the stirrup-leather.
+
+"Son, son," put in my father.
+
+"Silence, old man!" and they hit him on the mouth.
+
+"Do you worship her?"
+
+"I do not."
+
+Then they beat the soles of my feet, till my father in anguish cried,
+"Oh, I cannot bear this--" but had to bear it. And so had I. But on
+their burning my soles with a red-hot iron, a merciful Providence took
+me out of their hands, by bringing me insensibility. How long they
+pursued their barbarities after I fainted, I know not; but when I came
+to myself, it was in cold and darkness, lying in the open street, where
+I suppose they had cast me, thinking me dead. How long a time must have
+passed! for the stars were shining above me. Where were my parents, my
+brothers and sisters? I tried to raise myself a little and look around,
+but was beaten and bruised so that I was in agonies of pain, and sank
+back on the ground. The cold made my wounded feet smart indescribably;
+but while, with closed eyes, I was inwardly murmuring, "Lord, help thy
+poor servant, for I cannot help myself;" something that made me wince
+with pain, but the next moment gave exquisite relief, was applied to
+the soles of my feet, and the next instant I heard the hushed voices of
+those who were dearest to me on earth, my mother and Madeleine "Can it
+be that we are too late?" said Madeleine. "No, his pulse yet beats,
+though as feebly as possible. Oh, what he must have suffered, and how
+I love him for not having given in!"
+
+In pain though I was, a smile of joy broke over my face on this, and
+I opened my eyes.
+
+"Praise the Lord, he revives!" said my mother. "How art thou, my son?"
+
+"I shall do well, my mother--," but I could not speak another word.
+I closed my eyes, and felt about to faint.
+
+"Jacques, dear Jacques," said Madeleine, whispering energetically and
+distinctly, close to my ear, "be of good courage, and God will help
+thee. I have found a place of safety in the vaults of Les Arenes,
+whither Gabrielle has already taken the children; and now, if you can
+but master the pain enough to get there with such help as we can give
+you, before the dragoons return, we shall all be safe."
+
+"Oh, most certainly I will," said I, trying to rise; but when I
+attempted to set my feet to the ground, I was in such anguish that
+I nearly fell down; but what will not "needs must" effect? The poor
+galley-slaves at Marseilles and Dunkirk can tell how, when it seems
+impossible for them to pull another stroke, the taskmaster's whip,
+mercilessly applied, proves that they not only can pull still, but pull
+well too. I am ashamed to say how these two beloved women had almost to
+carry me, a stout youth; and even all their strength might have been
+insufficient but for the potent spur of the dragoons' return. With an
+arm round the neck of each, and resting almost my entire weight on their
+shoulders, I managed to scuffle along, very slowly and with fearful
+pain, towards Les Arenes. We paused now and then, under the deep shadow
+of a wall, for me to regain my strength. I was astonished at my mother's
+utter forgetfulness of herself in her care for me; and said, "Were you
+much burnt, my mother?"
+
+"No, my son; no," she answered, cheerfully; but in truth she was sadly
+seared and blistered, and her heroism under suffering might be likened
+to that of the martyrs of old.
+
+"What took place after I fainted?" said I.
+
+"They believed you were dead, and threw you into the road," said my
+mother, "saying they hoped the dogs would come and lick your blood like
+Ahab's. After that a trumpet was blown, and there seemed something going
+on in the town, and they all ran off. The children had meanwhile taken
+refuge with Madeleine; and I then took the opportunity of raising your
+father, after cutting his bonds, and sending him off to the factory,
+whence he was to return with men to carry you away, but they have never
+come, and I fear some mischief may have befallen him. I would fain have
+gone to see, but you were my first object. I could not carry you, and
+went to Madeleine for help. She had just gone with Gabrielle and the
+children to Les Arenes; but while I was preparing bandages and a
+liniment for your poor feet, she returned and accompanied me back."
+
+"Madeleine is a good angel," said I, pressing my arm more closely to
+her.
+
+"What is your case to-day, may be ours to-morrow," said she.
+
+We continued our painful and tedious course, "lurking in the thievish
+corners of the streets," like evil-doers, if we saw any one coming. The
+moon was dangerously bright, but the shadows were proportionately dark,
+and at length we reached Les Arenes, with their depths of mysterious
+shadow, and solemn pillars and arches silvered by the white beams.
+Though the amphitheatre is in the heart of the city, the neighborhood
+seemed unusually deserted. People had fled, or were cowering in
+hiding-places, or were flocking to see what was going on elsewhere.
+I cannot otherwise account for it. Only that as we passed near the
+house of good old Monsieur de Laccassagne, we could hear the abominable
+uproar of drums within it, and it would seem as if all the drummers in
+Nismes must have been congregated to drive the poor old gentleman to
+distraction. We had also seen in the distance, floods of light streaming
+from the windows of the cathedral, and heard a strange murmur of cries,
+and we afterwards learnt that multitudes of poor people of the baser
+sort had been driven like oxen or silly sheep into the church, pricked
+on by the dragoons' swords and shouts of "Kill! kill!" to be present
+at mass.
+
+But now, as we gained a spot where, at the end of a street, we could
+gain a distant glimpse of our factory, we perceived the sky red with
+flurid flames bursting from it.
+
+"The factory is on fire!" I exclaimed.
+
+Then my mother wrung her hands, crying, "Oh, my husband! you are ruined,
+perhaps sacrificed! I must go in quest of thee, and leave my son with a
+faithful friend."
+
+Then she hastened off towards the factory, and I could not blame her
+nor wonder at her, though my heart misgave me that she might fall into
+mischief.
+
+Madeleine's support was insufficient for me now; but I set my teeth like
+a flint, and commanded the pain I was in every time I set foot to the
+ground. Was it not alleviation enough to have her dear arm for my stay,
+and her tender hand wiping from my brow the drops forced forth by my
+suffering?
+
+Then we came to some steps. These gave me much trouble to descend,
+especially as we were so nearly in the dark, but Madeleine seemed to
+know them pretty well.
+
+"I have often been here already," whispered she, "only not after dark,
+and have laid in stores of many things necessary for our subsistence."
+
+We were now groping along a chill stone passage, and were presently
+brought up by a wall right in front, against which we violently hit
+our heads.
+
+"I fear I have missed the way," said Madeleine, in alarm. "Hark! I hear
+the children laughing. Nothing damps the spirits at their age."
+
+The next turn brought us to the entrance of a chamber, or rather den,
+for it had probably been built for wild beasts, and formerly tenanted
+by them. A ruddy fire burned in the middle, and circles of smoke escaped
+through crannies and fissures, for of course there was no chimney.
+A savory steam arose from a large black pot suspended over this fire,
+and round it was gathered a motley and unruly group, not Gabrielle and
+the children, but of tramps, gipsies, peddlers, and very likely thieves.
+Swarthy Morescoes, Basques, I know not how many nations, were there
+represented. They were singing, carousing, and making much noise.
+
+"Here's a pretty lady," cried a gipsy woman, as Madeleine shrank back
+affrighted.
+
+"Welcome, welcome!" cried one or two voices. "Come and make one of us."
+
+"Not so fast," said a dissentient voice. "There's a young man with her.
+How do we know he is not a spy?"
+
+"Good sir, I am lame on both feet," said I, and was turning away with
+Madeleine, both of us anxious to plunge into the darkness, out of their
+sight, when a threatening, swarthy man, of great strength, prevented our
+departure.
+
+"You are neither of you going," said he, defiantly, "till you give some
+account of yourselves and your object."
+
+"We are harmless people; we have only mistaken our way," interposed
+Madeleine.
+
+"Soho! Only mistaken your way? And how come harmless people to be abroad
+at this time of night, groping about among the vaults of Les Arenes?"
+
+Before there was time to answer, a tall, lean man in black, with a
+bottle in his hand, which he had just removed from his lips, came
+forward from a corner, and said. "Hold, there, enough has been said.
+I know this young man, and, I dare say, this young maiden. We are
+very good friends. Don't you remember me?" looking sharply at me.
+
+"Not exactly," said I, straining my memory.
+
+"Oh, come, don't deny it. Last time you had the best of it; this time
+I have. Don't you remember the Fair of Beaucaire?"
+
+"Yes, of course, sir," said Madeleine, readily, "and your beautiful
+needles and pins and pretty equipage."
+
+The needle-vender looked pleased, and said, "You have a better memory
+than the young fellow; however, I owe him a good turn. You saved me from
+the hoofs of le Docteur Jameray's horse, and lent me your handkerchief.
+I have had it in keeping for you ever since," drawing it from his
+breast. Then, turning to his companions, he said, "Excuse me; I attend
+these young persons a little way. They are friends, and the young man
+is ill."
+
+In fact, my head swam round, and I swooned again, and have no
+remembrance but of a confused babble of sounds. When I came to,
+Madeleine and the needle-seller, whose name was La Croissette, were
+conveying me between them; or, in fact, he was chiefly carrying me, and
+she supporting my feet. I said, "Set me down, I'll try to walk," but
+found I could not. Then she said, "Wait here; I'll run on a little, and
+find where Gabrielle is."
+
+I would have stayed her, but she was gone. La Croissette said, "You seem
+in trouble; what is it?"
+
+I said, "Don't you know the dragoons are in Nismes? They have tried to
+burn my mother, have bound and beaten my father, destroyed our property,
+and cudgelled and burnt me till I cannot stand."
+
+He drew in his breath, and said, "Any one of those things is trouble
+enough. Is that pretty girl your sister?"
+
+"No; my affianced wife."
+
+"And you have taken to Les Arenes for safety, and left your father and
+mother behind?"
+
+"Not willingly, you may be sure. My mother and Madeleine half carried me
+hither. Then we saw my father's silk factory in flames, and she ran to
+find him."
+
+Madeleine here returned, and said, encouragingly, "I have found where
+they are; it is a very little way, and they look so comfortable!"
+
+With her help and La Croissette's I dragged myself along, and though it
+seemed a long way off, we got there at last; and very snug did the old
+vault look, with the little brazier and the lamp, and the curtain to
+keep off the draught, and food and bedding on the floor. I sank down on
+the straw they had prepared for me, and never was couch of down more
+grateful to a luxurious man than this poor pallet to me. La Croissette
+viewed the whole party with keenness, then, putting his bottle to my
+lips, said, "Take this; there's a little left." Whatever it was, it
+revived me; and then he nodded, said "Bon soir," and went away.
+
+I now became anxious for my parents, though Madeleine assured me they
+knew the way to our retreat. A long time passed; the children fell
+asleep; we remained in anxious suspense. At length we heard footsteps.
+Were they of friend or foe? Madeleine went out to see. I could not bear
+her taking on herself every office that ought to devolve upon me, but
+could not help it. In a few instants she guided my father and mother
+into our dungeon, holding a hand of each. As they entered, the red
+fire-light leaped up and showed their grave faces. The first thing my
+father did, after taking us in at a glance, was to say, "Children, let
+us pray!"
+
+Even the little ones, roused from their slumber, and but half awake,
+put up their hands. My mother and the girls knelt; my father stood.
+His prayer began with earnest thanksgiving that we were all together
+again, and that, though his worldly substance had been taken from him,
+there was no loss of life or limb. Then he returned hearty thanks that,
+in this our day of spiritual trial and temptation, there had been no
+apostacy, no temporizing cowardice, no falling short. But, he added,
+he knew, and we all knew, that this was but the beginning of sorrows;
+that many a sore trial and temptation remained behind; that we had
+no strength of our own wherewith to meet it; but that there was
+all-sufficient strength in the great Captain of our salvation. Then
+he prayed the Lord to give us his strength, sufficient for our day,
+whatever it might be, even as He had strengthened Daniel in the lions'
+den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and Peter
+and Paul and Silas in prison, and John in Patmos; and that we might have
+grace to rejoice at being accounted worthy to suffer for his name's
+sake, and be strengthened to bear testimony even before kings if need
+were; and to cast all our burden upon Him, not caring much for the
+things of this life, knowing that he could reduplicate them if it
+were his will, at any time, as he had done to Job.
+
+While he thus prayed, an ineffable calm and sweetness took possession of
+me, my eyes involuntarily closed, or, if opened at intervals, only saw
+vague, uncertain forms, and thus a deep, deep sleep fell on me, without
+even a dream, that lulled all sense of pain, and loss, and fear, and
+sorrow, until morning.
+
+"For so he giveth his beloved sleep." Words how beautiful, and true, and
+reassuring! They that expend all their little strength for him, and lay
+their little substance at his feet, are his beloved. There is no need
+to be afraid we are not; we know it; we feel it; we have the witness in
+ourselves, just as the child, nestling in his father's arms, knows that
+he loves and is beloved. I have heard persons say, "Have you the faith
+of assurance?" Yes, thank God, I have it, and have had it ever since He
+was first graciously pleased to call me to Him, and that was long, long
+ago. But all have not this faith; just as a man, wanting to go to
+Bordeaux, may not be assured he is on the road to Bordeaux, and yet he
+may be on the way thither nevertheless. Then if you have not the faith
+of assurance, practise at least the faith of adherence. That, at least,
+is in your own power. Cleave to God exactly as if you were certain of
+being accepted by Him at last; and thus, fulfilling his own conditions,
+you will be accepted by Him whether you are assured of it beforehand or
+not. "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+LA CROISSETTE.
+
+
+How chill and painful was my awaking! The soles of my feet were raw
+with so much walking after they were blistered, and the inflammation
+irritated my whole frame, which was likewise stiffened with so much
+beating. When I opened my eyes, I saw the anxious face of my dear
+mother, as she examined my wounds, and prepared with light hand to dress
+them. Nor would anybody have guessed she herself was terribly burnt, had
+not one of the children, inadvertently running against her, caused a
+sudden wince, but without any audible expression of pain. The thought
+of what she was enduring with such stoicism, or rather, let me say,
+with such Christianity, enabled me, better than any stimulant would
+have done, to endure without murmuring; and she said to me, with strong
+approval in her kind eyes, "Your wounds tell me, my poor boy, how much
+you have to bear; therefore there is no need to cry out. Our light
+affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
+exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
+
+"Yes, that is true indeed," said my father, "and things might have gone
+much worse with us."
+
+"Can you say that, my father," said I, "when you have lost all?"
+
+"I have not lost all," replied he. "Before the factory was attacked,
+I had time to disperse the workmen, dispatch a hasty line to an English
+correspondent, and secrete certain bills of exchange; so that if we can
+but find our way to England we shall, indeed, have to begin life again,
+but with God's blessing, shall not fare badly. And with that blessing,
+my son, we shall not fare badly even here."
+
+"No, indeed, father." And as I spoke I looked towards where the
+lamp-light (for we had no other) fell on the bending head of Madeleine,
+as she talked in a low voice to the children, and kept them amused.
+Not a glimpse of the sun's light could penetrate our refuge, and thus
+it always seemed night with us when, in fact, it was bright day.
+Doubtless this was tedious to all; but no one, even the children, so
+much as murmured at it, except Gabrielle, who was inexpressibly wearied,
+and now and then gave a long yawn, which set others yawning, and
+procured her a good-humored rebuke.
+
+"How long is this to last?" said she.
+
+"Till the dragoons find us out, perhaps," said my father, gravely; which
+silenced her for a little while.
+
+"Our provisions will not last long," said she presently.
+
+"Then we must procure more," said my mother. "We have enough for the
+present."
+
+"Yes, we have cheese and wine and flour; but what good is flour unless
+it is cooked?"
+
+"Do not make mountains of molehills, Gabrielle," said Madeleine, aside;
+"it is such a bad example for the children."
+
+"Well, but they are not molehills," returned Gabrielle, in rather a
+lower tone, which, however, we could hear well enough. "I suppose we
+cannot starve."
+
+"Has your endurance so soon ceased, my dear girl?" said my father.
+"Think of the believers of old. They had trials of cruel mockings and
+scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned;
+they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they
+wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted,
+tormented (of whom the world was not worthy); they wandered in deserts
+and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And yet none of
+these, though they obtained a good report in God's own word for their
+faith, had received the explicit promises through Christ, God having
+provided those better things for us; wherefore we surely should be
+ashamed to show less constancy than they did."
+
+"Oh, of course," said Gabrielle.
+
+"Think of what Jacques is bearing without a murmur," said Madeleine.
+"I'm sure he sets an example to us all."
+
+"And as to minding what we eat," said little Charles, "I'm sure I don't
+mind it a bit. Do I, mamma?"
+
+"Oh, if you are all going to be against me, I shall say no more," said
+Gabrielle.
+
+"That's right," said my mother. "Put a brave heart on it, my dear;
+I know you have it in you."
+
+Gabrielle bit her lip, but took out a comb, and began to arrange little
+Louison's hair. "Now," she whispered, "I'll make you as smart as the
+young lady we saw with Madame de Laccassagne;" and in this way she
+amused herself and the child, talking nonsense with her, and inventing
+imaginary scenes and people, all in a hushed voice, that my father might
+not hear.
+
+Suddenly, some one at the entrance of our dungeon wishing us "Bon jour,"
+made us start violently and look towards him in alarm.
+
+"You need not shrink from me," said La Croissette, advancing among us
+when he had looked around. "I may not be as good as yourselves, or I
+may be--that's neither here nor there. I'm not quite a bad fellow, I
+believe, though at times I am driven to keep indifferent company. Still,
+I am not very fond of those I'm among at present, so I thought I'd look
+in on you. Your servant, sir," to my father. "A votre service, madame,"
+very politely to my mother. "You were not here last night, when your son
+and that young lady rather unexpectedly looked in on us. To speak the
+truth, there are reasons why some of us don't relish being looked in
+on unexpectedly."
+
+"Quite natural," said my father; "no more do we."
+
+"Ah, but you need not be afraid of me," said La Croissette, "I'm no
+traitor, I! It might be rash, though, to say as much of some of my
+companions, and therefore I advise you not to be too familiar with
+them."
+
+"My good friend, we have not the least intention of being so."
+
+"Age is wary, and youth is full of trust," said La Croissette. "Not
+knowing that you, respected sir, and you, madame, were here to look
+after the younger persons, I ventured to do so myself, to bid them
+beware of their neighbors."
+
+"That was very friendly, and I thank you heartily for it," said my
+father.
+
+"Shall you remain here long?" said La Croissette.
+
+"That depends entirely on circumstances."
+
+"Doubtless you are hiding from the dragoons."
+
+"Is it necessary to tell you?"
+
+"Why, no; but you might do so without fear. I have no love for them
+myself, but nothing to fear; I am certainly not a Huguenot; but neither
+would I betray one. Come, I see you would rather I went away. I am going
+into town. There is nothing I can do for you, then?"
+
+"Nothing; we thank you very much."
+
+When he was gone, Gabrielle exclaimed, "Now that is what I call an
+opportunity wasted."
+
+"We must beware, my child, who we trust," said my mother.
+
+"Of course; but he was so evidently a harmless, good sort of man."
+
+"We had no occasion to trouble him."
+
+Gabrielle plainly thought there was a good deal of occasion. Indeed,
+had she known she was actually doomed to spend a few days in the
+vaults of Les Arenes, I am persuaded she would have fitted them up
+with upholstery and eatables, even to pickles and preserves. Meanwhile
+Madeleine was beguiling the time to the children by setting them easy
+sums on the wall, scratched with a nail, and drawing pictures for them
+with the same implement, accompanied with stories, as thus:--"Once on a
+time there was a poor Christian captive in this very dungeon--here he is
+(drawing his picture)--sentenced to be thrown to the lions (picture).
+Once he had been a little boy like this (picture), fond of playing with
+other little boys (picture), and ready to carry his mother's pitcher to
+the well (picture), or sweep her floor (picture), or make himself useful
+to her in any way whatever. One day,"--and so forth. Gabrielle's fancy
+was tickled with this, and when Madeleine desisted she continued it,
+though now and then with a furtive yawn. Meanwhile my father was
+pondering over the papers he had about him, and sitting immersed in
+thought, or now and then saying a little to my mother. By-and-by he
+ventured out a little without quitting the precincts of the
+amphitheatre, and returned, saying several tramps were loitering about,
+whose attention it would not be prudent to attract. The day, which
+seemed the longest I ever knew, at length drew to a close, which we only
+learnt by my father's watch, for we were out of hearing of the town
+clocks. He said it would make time pass less heavily if we divided it
+methodically, and had our set hours for meals, rest, prayer, and mutual
+improvement, whether by exhortation, discussion, or general discourse,
+We followed his lead as well as we could, but our thoughts were chiefly
+with the outer world.
+
+Just after the women and children had retired for the night to a little
+inner dungeon, La Croissette once more presented himself uninvited.
+
+"I thought, messieurs, you might like to hear the news of the day,"
+said he.
+
+"Most certainly," said my father. "Pray be seated. I wish I had a better
+seat to offer you. What is stirring?"
+
+"The news, then, is, that Nismes is being converted as fast as
+possible," said La Croissette. "No persuader, sirs, like fire and sword.
+Dragoons are quartered on every Protestant. They are destroying whatever
+they cannot make booty of. Some are littering their fine black horses
+with bales of broadcloth, silk, and cotton; others with fine Holland
+cloths. The common people are being driven to church at the sword's
+point, and conforming by shoals. The gentry give more trouble, but end
+by coming round."
+
+"Some may--some weak-hearted persons," said my father, reluctantly.
+
+"Well, they may be weak-hearted; I'm sure I should be, in their place,"
+said La Croissette. "In fact, what is it?--a mere form. They just slur
+over a few words--cross themselves--kiss a relic, or some little matter
+of that sort. No more is required; the bishop lets them off easy."
+
+"Will the Lord let them off easy?" said my father. "Christianity admits
+of no such temporizing. The early Christians might have saved their
+lives by burning a handful of incense before the Roman Emperor's statue;
+but they did not hold it a mere form. And the Romanists admit in
+principle what they dissent from in practice; for they almost deify
+those early martyrs for their constancy to the truth, and yet would
+martyr us for doing the very same thing."
+
+"Well, I don't mean them to martyr me," said La Croissette, "I've an
+elastic creed, I!--it stretches or collapses like an easy stocking."
+
+"Beware, beware, my friend, of fancying a creed like that of any worth
+at all."
+
+"Sir, we all have our weak points and our strong ones. I'm no polemic,
+I!--I prefer meddling with things that will not bring me into trouble.
+There was a factory burnt down last night--"
+
+"Ah!" groaned my father.
+
+"Some say both the partners were burnt; others that one of them is at a
+distance. Some think the factory was set on fire on purpose; others that
+it was an accident. Nothing remains of it but the outer walls and a
+smoking heap of ruins."
+
+My father covered his face with his hand.
+
+"Then, again," pursued La Croissette, "that worthy old Monsieur
+Laccassagne, unable to stand the deprivation of sleep any longer, has
+conformed--"
+
+"Has he, though!" cried my father, with a start. "Oh, how sad a fall!"
+
+"Outwardly, only outwardly," said La Croissette. "The poor old gentleman
+was driven almost out of his senses by that deafening drumming. 'You
+shall have rest now,' said the bishop. 'Alas!' replied he, 'I look for
+no rest on this side heaven; and may God grant that its doors may not be
+closed against me by this act.'"
+
+"Poor old man! poor Monsieur Laccassagne!" ejaculated my father. "Well
+might he say so."
+
+"Yes, but what reasonable person can suppose the doors of heaven will
+be closed against him by it?" said La Croissette. "The Lord is a God of
+mercy--"
+
+"But will by no means clear the guilty," said my father.
+
+"And He looketh not to the outward appearance, but to the heart," said
+La Croissette.
+
+"That expression applies to the personal, bodily appearance, which none
+of us can help," said my father, "not to the pretence of believing one
+thing, when we believe, its opposite. I mourn over the backsliding of
+my old friend. Better had it been to suffer affliction for a season.
+
+"So the virtuous lady his wife thought," said La Croissette. "She
+escaped in the disguise of a servant, and is now wandering in the open
+fields."
+
+"Ah, what sorrow! May the good Lord support her under it!"
+
+"Ay, and the many other women who are in similar case. Numbers of them
+are at this instant cowering in the cold and darkness in ditches and
+under hedges."
+
+"Monsieur Laccassagne might well say he could hope for no rest on this
+side heaven," said my father, bitterly. "How can he rest, knowing that
+his excellent wife, accustomed to every comfort, is now an outcast for
+her faith--the faith which he has denied?"
+
+"Well, I wish I could have brought you more cheerful news," said La
+Croissette, rising. "In truth, you need it, in this dismal hole, to keep
+up your spirits. Tell me, now, good sir, how long do you expect to be
+able, you and yours, to hold out?"
+
+"Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof," said my father. "Thanks be
+to God, He does not require us to dwell on what may be in store for our
+chastening. He says explicitly, 'Take no thought for the morrow--the
+morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.' Words how kind and
+how wise!"
+
+This seemed to strike La Croissette a good deal. He remained in thought
+a few minutes, and then said, "Well, it is time I should take my leave.
+I respect you very much." Then, resuming his bantering tone, "Since
+you are so willing to hazard the disturbance which poor old Monsieur
+Laccassagne found it so hard to bear, I advise you to sleep day and
+night while you are here, and lay in a good stock of repose against
+the time when you will be deprived of it."
+
+Stepping back again, just as he seemed going, he said, "You fancy
+yourselves very safe here; and, indeed, the dragoons unless with a guide
+to you, might possibly take some time to find you out; but depend on it,
+Les Arenes will be well searched some day--perhaps very soon; it is too
+well known as having been an old hiding-place. Every corner--this among
+the rest--is known to outcasts, many of them of bad reputation, who, for
+a morsel of bread, would give up St. Paul or St. Peter. All are not so,
+however, and those I am now among have a kind of the honor which exists
+among thieves. Do not depend too much on it, however."
+
+And with this very unsatisfactory speech, he left us. My father, after
+brooding on what he had said for some time, knelt down, and was long in
+prayer: then he murmured, "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep:
+for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." And I knew soon, by
+his breathing, that he had indeed found rest in sleep. For me, I could
+not close my eyes: the text that dwelt in my mind was, "My soul is
+among lions." I thought of Madame Laccassagne and the other poor
+women wandering in the fields, and pictured a thousand distressing
+circumstances. Our solitary oil-lamp was beginning to languish for want
+of trimming, and I thought, "What if it should leave us in darkness
+altogether, and we should never know when it is day?" and dwelt on the
+Egyptians in the plague of darkness, when none of them rose from his
+place for three days. I was so feverish that it seemed to me a darkness
+like that would madden me--I must dash my head against the wall, or do
+something desperate; and I thought of Jonah in the whale's belly, when
+the waters compassed him round about, and his soul fainted in that
+hideous darkness; and again it was "three days." Then I thought, "Why
+three days?" Was it because the Son of Man was three days in the heart
+of the earth? And shall we remain here in this subterranean darkness
+three days?
+
+Just as the lamp seemed going out my loved mother stole out of the inner
+dungeon, and trimmed it; then noiselessly stole to my side, and, seeing
+my eyes open, smiled on me and kissed me, and then lay down beside my
+father. Oh, the peace, the security of her presence! I sank into
+dreamless sleep.
+
+I was awakened by the most horrid noise I ever heard in my life. It
+seemed like the roar of a lion close to my ear, and I started up in wild
+affright, fancying myself a Christian prisoner about to be thrown to the
+wild beasts. All around was dark as pitch--the lamp had gone out! The
+frightful bellowing continued without intermission; and, besides, there
+were sobs and screams, brutal laughter and cursing. Dreadful moment!
+Presently a spark of light momentarily illumined our cell, and showed
+the anxious face of my mother, as she re-kindled the lamp, surrounded by
+the terrified children and girls, roused from their sleep by the hideous
+uproar.
+
+"Oh, what is it?--what is it?" cried I. My mother's lips moved, but she
+could not make herself heard. Having succeeded in lighting the lamp, she
+came close to me, and said--
+
+"They seem to have put one of the bulls of La Camargue into the
+adjoining den for the next bull-baiting, and to have lashed it to frenzy
+with their goads. The noise is terrific, but I do not suppose the animal
+can break loose."
+
+La Croissette now appeared among us, suffocating with laughter. "Are you
+frightened out of your lives?" said he. "'Tis nothing."
+
+"Nay, sir," said my mother, "'tis something, I think, to be raised up in
+the middle of the night by such a dreadful noise."
+
+"Night? 'tis broad daylight! No wonder you were frightened. I can hardly
+hear myself speak; but I felt impelled to come and see how you took it.
+They have put an enormous bull in the adjoining den; and if you don't
+like his company, you will have to change your quarters, which I advise
+you to do at any rate; for the Basques who have him in charge are brutal
+fellows, whose jargon I don't understand. Ten to one they will discover
+you before the day's out; and then what will you do?"
+
+"Truly, our case is hard," said my mother, looking wistfully at my
+father.
+
+"It is so, my dear wife," replied he; "and I do not see my way clearly.
+Let us ask God to make it a little clearer to us."
+
+La Croissette looked amazed when he saw the whole family kneel down,
+and made a movement to go, but paused at the entrance and looked back
+on us. Though the bellowing still continued, it was neither so loud nor
+so frequent; but still only snatches of my father's voice could be
+heard. But his very look and attitude was a prayer; and there were the
+two sweet sisters, with their clasped hands and bent heads, and the
+little ones crowded about my mother. Now and then such broken sentences
+were heard as--"Lord, thou hast been our refuge from one generation to
+another--Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in
+the light of thy countenance--The dead bodies of thy servants have they
+given to be meat unto the fowls of the air, and the flesh of thy saints
+to the beasts of the land--We are become an open shame to our enemies,
+and a very scorn to them that hate us. Return, O Lord! how long? and let
+it repent thee concerning thy servants--Oh, satisfy us with thy mercy,
+and that soon; so will we rejoice, and give thanks to thee all the days
+of our life--Make thy way plain before us, O Lord, because of our
+enemies."
+
+I could not help furtively watching the workings of La Croissette's
+face as he listened to these words of the Psalmist, so appropriate and
+pathetic. He started as if shot when touched by some one behind; and
+the next instant M. Bourdinave stood among us.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+PERSECUTED, YET NOT FORSAKEN.
+
+
+"My father!" exclaimed the girls, and flew into his arms. The next
+instant the bellowing recommenced.
+
+"What is that?" cried M. Bourdinave, starting.
+
+"One of the bulls intended for baiting," said my father.
+
+"Ah, what a vicinity to find you in?" said M. Bourdinave.
+
+"Better, my dear friend, than the captives of old had in this very
+dungeon. And now, what news? Where have you been?"
+
+"I'd better go; I'm not wanted." muttered La Croissette, heard only by
+me, and then retiring.
+
+"I bring the worst of news," returned M. Bourdinave, sitting down. "The
+Edict of Nantes is revoked."
+
+"Ah!" and a general cry broke from us.
+
+"What signifies it," said my mother, bitterly, "when already its
+provisions have been set at nought? Are we any the better for it?"
+
+"We may be yet worse for losing it," said M. Bourdinave. "Every Reformed
+meeting-house in France is to be demolished; no private assemblages for
+devotional purposes are to be allowed on any pretext whatever. All
+Huguenot schools are to be suppressed; all children born of Huguenot
+parents to be baptized and educated as Catholics; all non-conforming
+ministers to quit the country within fifteen days, on pain of the
+galleys."
+
+"Let us rise, my children," cried my father in great agitation, "and
+leave this country, which is no longer a mother to us, shaking the dust
+off our feet. Alas, what am I saying? Whither can we go?"
+
+"To England," replied M. Bourdinave. "I have already taken measures for
+it."
+
+"Heaven be praised!" cried we simultaneously.
+
+"But it will be under circumstances of great hardship, difficulty, and
+danger."
+
+"Never mind; we willingly encounter them. Yes, yes," said one after
+another.
+
+"Have you the courage, my daughters?" looking earnestly at them.
+
+Madeleine threw herself into his arms.
+
+"I knew what your answer would be," said he, fondly kissing her; "but
+my little Gabrielle--"
+
+"Oh, fear me not, father," cried Gabrielle, hastily. "Anything to get
+out of this horrid place. I believe I have seemed too impatient of it
+to those around me, but that was because inaction is always so trying
+to me."
+
+"My love, you may yet be exposed to it. I have known one of our brethren
+put into a chest, with very few air-holes, and lowered into the hold of
+a merchant-vessel, with considerable roughness, where he was left many
+hours before he could be released."
+
+Gabrielle changed color. "Never mind," said she, in a low voice, and
+pressing her father's hand. "What man has done man may do, though I am
+but a woman who say it."
+
+"That's my brave girl!" fondly kissing her. "Well, my friends, if we
+can but get to Bordeaux, we shall escape; that is provided for. It was
+this which kept me from you so long. And what a return has been mine!
+I got no answers from you to my letters; I heard the persecution here
+was raging with fury; I came to snatch you from it, and found my home
+deserted, the factory burnt, the workmen scattered, no tidings of you
+to be found. At length I got news of you from one of the men, who told
+me of your retreat, and that he, under cover of night, brought you
+bread. We planned how to remove you hence to-night, but it must be in
+detachments. At a place agreed on there will be a small cart that will
+convey the children and perhaps their mother."
+
+"I prefer walking," interposed my mother. "Jacques is unable to do so."
+
+"Impossible! I am sure you have not the strength for it," said we all.
+
+"Never fear," said she, stoutly.
+
+"No, no; it must not be," said I.
+
+"And you, my son?"
+
+"I will undertake for him," said La Croissette, who, it now appeared,
+had been listening behind the doorway all this time.
+
+"Who are you, my man?" said M. Bourdinave, in surprise and some
+distrust.
+
+"An honest fellow, though I say it that shouldn't," was his answer.
+"I am one of those who deal in deeds more than words. I cannot patter
+Ave Marias with a Catholic, nor sing interminable psalms like a
+Huguenot, but neither can I endure the ways the Catholics are taking to
+compel the Huguenots to submission. I take my own way, d'ye see, and am
+fettered by nobody. No one would molest La Croissette the needle-seller,
+not even a dragoon. And I have learnt to esteem you all; I admire the
+young ladies, and respect the old lady and gentleman. Therefore, there's
+my hand; you may take it or not. 'Tis not over soft; but there's no
+blood on it, and it never took a bribe. Let those say so who can.
+And what I say next is this: Dr. Jameray has fallen sick, and I've
+undertaken to drive his little wagon, with the sign of the bleeding
+tooth, from hence to Montauban. As far as that I'll give my young friend
+here a cast, and he may thence easily take boat down the Garonne to
+Bordeaux. At least, if he cannot of himself, I'll manage it for him."
+
+How grateful we were to the worthy La Croissette! Not one of us
+distrusted him in the least; at any rate, if M. Bourdinave did so at
+first, he was soon reassured by us, and took the honest fellow heartily
+by the hand. A good deal more was now said than I have space to recount
+or memory to recall. Indeed, my head was in a confused state, and I was
+conscious of little but of the tender pressure of dear Madeleine's hand,
+from whom I must so soon part.
+
+We were to start as soon as night afforded us its friendly cover; but
+some hours of daylight remained. My father and M. Bourdinave had many
+business affairs to discuss, and Madeleine kept the children quiet,
+that they might not interrupt them. I never thought Gabrielle so pretty
+as now that she had spoken with resolution, and seemed strengthening
+herself to keep up to it. Nevertheless, we have no real strength
+of our own; it all comes from God; but He gives it to all who ask it
+faithfully. Madeleine whispered to me, "Let us pray that strength for
+her duty may be given her." I nodded and smiled.
+
+Meanwhile my mother went out to the appointed place where, it seems,
+Raoul had daily placed a loaf. We, who were not in the secret, had much
+wondered where our bread came from, and how it lasted out. This time she
+returned with a large sausage as well; so we ate our meal with gladness
+and thankfulness of heart, La Croissette insisting on passing round his
+bottle, which, somehow, he always kept well filled. And had this man had
+a mind to betray us, how easily he might have done so! He overheard our
+plans, might have drugged our wine, and stretched us all powerless;
+might have told his comrades to make sport of us, and kept out of sight
+himself; or might openly have led the dragoons to our hiding-place with
+torches and weapons. Our blessed Lord had more reason, humanly speaking,
+to trust Judas, than we to trust La Croissette; but you see this man was
+honest; you could not have tempted him to sell us for thirty pieces of
+silver.
+
+When he went forth, though, after supper, my mind misgave me for a
+while, thinking, "What if he be gone to betray us?" I wronged his worthy
+heart. So many people are worse than we think them, that it is a comfort
+when some prove better than we think them. Worthy La Croissette! I have
+thy tall, meagre form and lantern jaws now before me. Many a showy
+professor might be bettered by having as true a heart.
+
+When he was gone, my father said, "Let us join once more in family
+worship, and then get a little sleep before our night-journey begins."
+
+I think he and M. Bourdinave and the children actually did sleep, but
+not my mother or the girls. I certainly did not. My mother dressed and
+bandaged my wounded feet for the last time. They were healing, but too
+tender for walking or standing without injury to the newly-formed skin.
+Then she sat beside me, with looks of love, and was presently joined
+by Madeleine. We knew so well what was passing in each other's minds,
+that we did not need to say much. Then my father awoke, with all his
+faculties about him, looked at his watch, and said it was time to start.
+M. Bourdinave went out, and after what seemed to our impatience rather a
+long time, returned, and said Raoul reported unusual disturbance in the
+city, but that now all was ready. We took leave of one another, agreed
+on places of rendezvous (if we were ever enabled to reach them), and had
+a valedictory prayer. Still they did not like to go and leave me without
+La Croissette. At length he appeared, and, addressing my father, said:
+
+"You had better avoid the precincts of your famous temple, La Calade: it
+has been completely demolished, and crowds are yet hanging about their
+beloved place of worship, regardless of danger, but the military will
+presently disperse them."
+
+"Ah, what desecration!" exclaimed my mother.
+
+"Keep your regrets for the sufferings of living people, my good lady,"
+said La Croissette. "Stones have no feeling, and are not prone to
+revenge insult. 'Tis said, walls have ears. The walls of La Calade have,
+at all events, a tongue; for on the summit of the ruins lies a stone
+with these words on it, 'Lo, this is the house of God; this is the gate
+of heaven!'"
+
+Then addressing my father, he said. "The very fact of the public
+attention being drawn to this point makes other parts of the city
+comparatively deserted, and therefore favors your escape. Lose no time,
+I advise you, in availing yourselves of it."
+
+We exchanged our last embraces in tears, and they went forth, he
+following them. I felt inexpressibly lonely and sad.
+
+Just as I was beginning to get uneasy at his absence, and to think,
+"What if he should never come back?" he returned.
+
+"They are safely off now," said he, "and little know what peril they
+have been in here. Another twelve hours, and they would all have been
+taken. Now, then, let us bestir ourselves, young man. They call you
+Jacques; but I shall call you Jean, after my younger brother."
+
+Helped on by him, I hobbled along, though in pain. How chill, but how
+fresh and pleasant, felt the open air! It seemed the breath of life to
+me, and revived me like a potent medicine. There was a distant, sullen
+murmur in the city, but around us all was still. Above us were bright
+stars, but no moon.
+
+At length we got among low dwellings, some of which had twinkling
+lights. We entered a dark, narrow passage, smelling powerfully of fried
+fish and onions. Some one from above said cautiously, "Who goes there?"
+
+"La Croissette."
+
+"Who else?"
+
+"My brother Jean."
+
+"Advance, brothers La Croissette."
+
+We ascended a mean staircase and entered a room where we found a man and
+woman standing beside a large basket.
+
+"Now get you into this," said La Croissette to me, "and we will lower
+you from the window. Stay, I will go first; it will give you
+confidence."
+
+Twisting his long frame into the basket, he clasped his arms round his
+knees, and the others began to raise him by well-secured pulleys. The
+woman grew quite red in the face with the exertion of getting him over
+the window-ledge, and I own I trembled for him.
+
+"All is right, he is safely down," said she, at length, and helped to
+pull up the basket. "Now, young man; you're not afraid?"
+
+"Oh no; only don't let me down too fast."
+
+"That must depend on how heavy you are. We can't keep dangling you
+between sky and earth all night. Come; you are not nearly as heavy as
+your brother. Adieu, mon cher; bon voyage!"
+
+"Adieu, madame; mille remerciments."
+
+I thought of St. Paul in the basket, and the two Israelitish spies.
+La Croissette eased my descent a good deal, by steadying the basket,
+and helped me out of it to our mutual satisfaction. It was then swiftly
+drawn up, and taken in.
+
+"Thank heaven, we are safe!" said I. "That was very cleverly managed."
+
+"Do you suppose it the first time?" said La Croissette. "Far from it, I
+can tell you. Many things are done in Nismes that the authorities know
+nothing of, for all their vigilance. Now we are fairly outside the city,
+and, with ordinary good luck, shall perform our night-journey in safety."
+
+"With God's blessing we may," said I.
+
+"Make that proviso with all my heart," said La Croissette. "some trust
+in Providence and some in luck. I have nothing to say against either.
+Now get into the cart."
+
+He led the horse a little out of the shadow as he spoke, and helped me
+inside the little house on wheels, where I found a mattress that proved
+a most acceptable rest; and then we drove slowly and quietly off, and
+gradually got among fields and hedges.
+
+"How are you getting on?" said La Croissette, at length. "Do you mind
+the shaking?"
+
+"Oh," said I, "I have so many things on my mind that I take no thought
+for the body."
+
+"All the better; though some say that pain of the mind is the worst to
+bear of the two."
+
+"I have little doubt of it," said I, "though each are bad enough. But
+all I meant was that my mind is preoccupied and anxious, and prevents
+my noticing any mere discomforts; for I cannot say I am miserable."
+
+"Indeed I think you ought not to be, for you have had an escape from
+that troubled city that many would rejoice at."
+
+"Tell me truly; do you think I have actually escaped?"
+
+"What know I? You have escaped from the evils behind; you may not
+escape from the evils before. Yesterday was cloudy, to-morrow may be
+rainy, the day after may be fine; none of us knows. At least there is a
+weather-prophet at Arles whom some of the fools believe in; but he broke
+his leg a little while ago, and his spirit of prophecy did not enable
+him to foresee that, therefore I doubt his knowing about the weather."
+
+"There have always been those who dealt in lying signs and wonders,"
+said I, "from the days of Moses, when the magicians feigned to change
+their rods into serpents, which of course they could not do really."
+
+"They were clever at sleight-of-hand, I suppose," said La Croissette.
+"So is Doctor Jameray. He can do many wonderful things. I can do some
+of them myself. You see, some of his conjuring tricks require a second
+person, who must not be known for his assistant; so that when he sets
+out on his tours through the provinces, I generally do the same, and
+contrive to cross his path, as if by accident. Then we play off on a
+new set of people the tricks we have played twenty times before in
+other places."
+
+"Then needle-selling is only a blind?" said I.
+
+"I turn a little money by it; the more, that I am careful always to sell
+the best needles and pins. Thus I have acquired a name--the housewives
+trust me; I have a character to support. And my character supports me."
+
+"A good character always does so in the long run," said I.
+
+"Well, I don't know what to say about that. You are too young to have
+any authority of weight. It must be your father's wisdom, and I am not
+sure it will stand the test."
+
+"I feel sure of it," said I.
+
+'What, when you are this very moment a houseless wanderer, without
+having done any wrong? How does your good character support you now?"
+
+"For example, it has secured me your good offices," said I. "You would
+not have given me this good turn if I had been a worthless villain."
+
+"Well, perhaps not; supposing I had known you for such--though worthless
+villains often escape deserved punishment, and sometimes are very
+plausible, and pay very well. And sometimes not"--reflectively.
+
+"You seem to remember a case in point," said I, smiling.
+
+"Well, I do," said La Croissette. "There was a young lord who led a sad
+course, and nearly fell into the hands of justice. He had a dashing,
+off-hand manner, that made friends till he was found out for what he
+was; and partly because he talked me over, and partly for high pay,
+I smuggled him beyond the reach of his enemies. But the pay never came.
+He won't get me to help him another time."
+
+"He'll miss the want of a good character in the long run, then," said I.
+
+"Oh, he has done so already; he lies in prison now. But so do many of
+you Huguenots, who have done nothing amiss. It seems to me there is one
+event to the good and to the wicked."
+
+"Oh no, do not believe it," said I. "In the first place, none of us
+are righteous; no, not one; our merits only comparative. Thus, there is
+something in every one of us to punish; and sometimes the Lord sees fit
+to chasten His best-loved servants so severely, that it is difficult to
+distinguish their chastisement from His judgments on the wicked."
+
+"That comes to what I was saying," said La Croissette; "that there is
+but one event to the good and to the bad."
+
+"It seems so, though it is not so," said I. "But don't you perceive in
+this a grand argument in favor of a future life?"
+
+"I am no scholar, I;--you must explain it to me," said La Croissette.
+
+"If the Lord lets his dear children fall into the same afflictions here
+as the rebellious and impenitent, it is because He knows that in the
+long run, it will be to their advantage rather than otherwise: that they
+will turn their trials to such good account as actually to be the better
+for them; and that their light affliction, which is but for a moment,
+will work for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
+So that hereafter they shall look back on their present pains, not only
+with indifference but with thankfulness. But ah! where shall then the
+unrighteous and sinner appear?"
+
+"You seem to have a natural gift for preaching," said La Croissette,
+after a pause. "Where will they appear, say you? Why, if our priests
+are to be believed, those of them, even the very worst, who have money
+enough to pay for masses and indulgences, may buy themselves off from
+purgatory, and shine in glory with the best."
+
+"Does not that carry incredibility and absurdity on the very face of
+it?"
+
+"It seems very hard on the poor man who can't buy himself off," said La
+Croissette. "You Huguenots, then, don't believe in it?"
+
+"Most assuredly not. God accepts no prayers that do not spring from a
+lowly and contrite heart: and they may be offered by a poor man as well
+as a rich one."
+
+"But does not a poor man's soul require those purgatorial fires?"
+
+"Oh no, my dear La Croissette! The Son of God told of no purgatory--only
+of heaven and hell. And He was so truthful that He would not have told
+of a hell if there had not been one--nor have failed to tell of a
+purgatory if there had been one. The end would not have been
+commensurate with the means, had He laid down his life to save us from
+anything short of condign punishment, or to save us only incompletely.
+If there were a purgatory to endure at any rate, where would be the
+all-sufficiency of his sacrifice once offered?"
+
+He bade us believe in him and be saved. He did not say, 'believe also in
+my mother, and my brethren, and my apostles, and ask them to ask me to
+save you.' He said, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
+and I will give you rest.'"
+
+"No! did he, though?" said La Croissette, suddenly checking his horse.
+
+At the same moment, a woman sprang from the hedge and laid her hand on
+the shaft, saying:
+
+"Good sir, save us! we perish!"
+
+"What is the matter?" said he, starting.
+
+"We are fugitives from Nismes; we were beaten, we were burnt, we were
+pillaged."
+
+"My poor good woman, there are numbers in like case."
+
+"But we starve," said she, bursting into tears. "My aged mother and my
+little ones."
+
+"I am very sorry for you, but I am a poor man myself--here, take this
+trifle."
+
+"Alas, we cannot eat money!" in a tone of such mournful reproach.
+
+"No, true; it will buy a little bread--but there are no shops. Jean," in
+a lower voice to me, "I've a loaf in the cart, shall we part with it?"
+
+"Give it to her by all means," said I.
+
+Before he did so, he said to her, "True, you cannot eat money, but money
+will buy you bread in Nismes. Why not return there? The authorities are
+welcoming all that conform."
+
+"Death rather than that!" said she, clasping her hands to her heart, and
+turning away.
+
+"Stay, stay. Here is bread for you. It is all we have."
+
+"Ah! bless--." She could say no more, but sobbed bitterly. La Croissette
+turned his face away.
+
+"There are many of us, many!" sobbed she. "We shall so bless you. We
+will pray for you."
+
+"Do so; do," said he, affecting composure, and whipping on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED.
+
+
+The moon had now risen, and shone full on our road, which was completely
+exposed; but happily we met with no hindrance. The motion of the cart
+now made me very drowsy, and I fell into deep dreamless sleep. When I
+woke, feeling stiff and chilled, I wondered where I was. The cart had
+stopped, I was alone, the gray light of morning was forcing its way
+through the chinks of my little lodging-house, but the door was locked.
+I thought my position a curious one, and wondered whether La Croissette
+was going to give me up after all, to my enemies, but could not readily
+distrust a fellow apparently so kind-hearted. I lay still and listened
+to the sounds about me; the clucking of hens, gobbling of turkeys,
+stamping of horses, and lowing of calves, told me I was in a farm-yard.
+Then I heard voices, including that of La Croissette, and presently a
+sharp cry and then a laugh. By-and-by, the key turned in the lock and
+he looked in on me.
+
+"So ho, you are awake after a famous long nap," said he. "Do you want
+your breakfast?"
+
+"If I do, want must be my master," said I, returning his smile. "We gave
+away our only loaf."
+
+"But what if I have earned another, and a good bowl of milk?" rejoined
+La Croissette, producing both as he spoke. "There, sit up and eat your
+fill; I've had my share in the house."
+
+"Where are we?" said I, readily obeying his instructions.
+
+"At a wayside farm-house, where the honest people have given my horse
+a good feed, and you and me a good breakfast."
+
+"How did you earn it, then?"
+
+"By pulling out a tooth for a great lubberly boy, whose cheek had
+swollen enormously with toothache. Did you not hear him cry out? You
+might almost have heard him from here to Nismes."
+
+"Yes, I heard him cry and then laugh."
+
+"Because he was so glad to have got rid of it."
+
+"Can you draw teeth, then?"
+
+"I never drew one before, but I went at it as if it was a regular thing
+with me."
+
+"How could you venture?"
+
+"Psha! it is good to show confidence; and every one must have a
+beginning. Which of us would let a doctor try his hand on us, if we knew
+it was for the first time?"
+
+I smiled and shook my head at him, but said no more. When I had
+swallowed the delicious milk, he said,
+
+"Now I will return the bowl, and bring out my horse. I told them I had a
+sick brother in the cart, recovering from a burning fever, or you would
+have had some visitors. To make doubly sure, I locked you up."
+
+"Would not that have been enough without the other?" I said, grieved at
+his want of truth.
+
+"No, I think not, and I'm not as particular as you are."
+
+Presently we were driving off again, and for a mile or so in silence.
+Then La Croissette, looking back at me, said,
+
+"There are certainly good people on both sides. That poor wretch to
+whom we gave the loaf was undoubtedly a good Huguenot; she would rather
+starve and die than abjure her faith. But here, again, are a family of
+Catholics, who are good, too, and believed every word I said, and
+liberally supplied my wants."
+
+"Doubtless there are good people on both sides," said I; "and if the
+Catholics would believe it of us, we might yet live in peace and
+quietness together. We have not harmed them--it is they who harm us."
+
+"For your good, they will tell you."
+
+"They may tell us, but we cannot believe it. Their compulsions are not
+in the spirit of love."
+
+La Croissette softly whistled, and presently talked of other things.
+By-and-by he said,
+
+"Now we are coming to a town, and you shall see some fun."
+
+"Will it be quite safe?"
+
+"Safer than anything else. It is a fair-day; I shall drive straight
+into the market-place, blow my horn, and play the quack doctor. Nay,
+you shall be my accomplice and blow the horn. Let me put you in costume
+at once."
+
+Saying which, he fished out a soiled scarlet cloak, gaily spangled,
+which he threw over my shoulders, produced a half-mask with an enormous
+red nose, with which he concealed the upper part of my face, covered my
+head with a Spanish hat and feather, and gave me a horn.
+
+"Now blow as much as you like," said he; "be as brazen as your trumpet."
+
+I laughed, and entered into the joke; no one would suspect me for a
+Huguenot.
+
+La Croissette then disguised himself in Dr. Jameray's long black gown,
+and added a pair of green spectacles, which certainly heightened the
+effect. Having driven into the market-place, he placed a little table
+before him and spread it with boxes and phials, I blowing the horn from
+time to time in a way which he called quite original, and which speedily
+drew people about us. Then, with wonderful self-possession, he harangued
+them on the merits of his medicines. For instance, taking up a phial
+which contained a pink-colored fluid, he descanted on its virtues in
+this style:
+
+"My friends, this small bottle contains a famous specific, for those who
+know how to use it prudently. When I say prudently, I mean that there
+are certain things it will do and others it will not. This remedy is for
+increasing the strength, improving the appetite, and clearing the head.
+Will it, therefore, set a broken arm or draw a tooth? Most certainly
+not. I can draw a tooth for you, if you like it (by-the-by, some think
+I have a gift that way, but self-praise is no recommendation); I can
+draw a tooth, I say, no matter with how many fangs; but this medicine
+cannot. Does it follow, then, that it will cure a cough or sore throat?
+Not at all. Here, if you like (taking up another bottle) is something
+that will, but what is that to the purpose? Will it cure sore eyes? No;
+or sprains? Far from it. No, no, my most excellent ladies and gentlemen,
+let us not form unreasonable expectations; day is not night; summer is
+not winter; nor is a horse-medicine a febrifuge. It is useless to assert
+such trash to sensible, well-informed people, Here is an opportunity,
+such as most of you may possibly never have again, of buying a most
+delightful and effectual medicine, sweet, not nauseous (strongly
+reminding one of cherry-brandy), gently exhilarating, and very difficult
+to be procured; indeed, I have only three small doses of it--three, did
+I say? I'm afraid I have only two--let me see--Oh, yes, here are three;
+and the price is merely nominal--"
+
+The extreme frankness and moderation of this harangue of course met with
+great success; and purchasers speedily bought, not only his three pink
+bottles, but his green ones, his blue ones, his pills, his pomades, and
+his perfumed medicinal soaps that were to soften the skin, strengthen
+the joints, and promote longevity. After this, he sang a comic song of
+innumerable verses (with horn obligato) and delivered a discourse, in
+which he said there had never been more than three great men in the
+world, Louis the Fourteenth, Alexander the Great, and Hippocrates, the
+father of physic.
+
+It was surprising to me how he carried on this game hour after hour,
+apparently without fatigue, and always to the delight of his audience,
+new-comers continually pressing around him, and old ones lingering in
+the distance with broad smiles on their faces. A little of it was well
+enough, but I thought that to be always at it must be harder work than
+the hardest handywork trade I knew. At last the day closed in, the
+people departed, we supplied ourselves with food, and departed like
+the rest.
+
+"Now, then, have I not come off with flying colors?" said La Croissette,
+complacently.
+
+"Assuredly you have: but you must be very tired."
+
+"Tired as can be--you know I had no sleep last night--we are coming to
+a little thicket where we will roost for the night."
+
+We had scarcely drawn up under the trees, which were thinning of leaves,
+when we heard a distant hollow sound gradually growing louder as it
+approached. "The dragoons," said La Croissette, in a low voice. "I trust
+we shall escape their notice."
+
+They passed by like a whirlwind, taking the direction we had just left,
+and we congratulated ourselves on having quitted their path.
+
+"These wretches, look you," said La Croissette, "know neither mercy
+nor justice; they know they are let loose on the country to do all the
+mischief they can, and if they find a Paradise, they leave it a howling
+wilderness."
+
+Of this we had proof next day, when we came on their track, and found
+wretched women and children in tears and lamentations impossible for us
+to assuage: men that had been cudgelled within an inch of their lives,
+or hung up by their wrists or their heels till they swooned, lying on
+the ground uncared for and dying. Ah, what wickedness! and all under
+pretence of doing God service! I cannot dwell on the terrible scenes we
+saw in crossing the country. Sometimes La Croissette did some trifling
+act of kindness, but the evils demanded more potent remedies.
+
+"This unfits me for my calling," said he, one day, as he scrambled into
+the cart and drove off. "How can one play the merry-andrew under such
+circumstances? What will become of these poor creatures as winter comes
+on, even if they can last till then? It is impossible they should all
+escape from the country--they will have to conform after all, and had
+they not better do so now?"
+
+I replied, "It is written, 'Fear not, little flock; for it is the
+Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'"
+
+"The kingdom of France?"
+
+"No, the kingdom of heaven."
+
+"To whom were the words spoken?"
+
+"To the early Christians, whose praise is in all the churches--whom the
+Catholics not only reverence but worship."
+
+"Hum. Well, if they weathered such persecution as this, perhaps these
+may; but I could not stand it, I!--Do you know (with great awe) there
+are dungeons called Hippocrates' Sleeves, the walls of which slope like
+the inside of a funnel tapering to a point, so that those who are put
+inside them can neither lie, sit, nor stand? They are let down into them
+with cords, and drawn up every day to be whipped."
+
+"And have any come forth alive from such places?"
+
+"I grant you; but sometimes without teeth or hair."
+
+"O, what glorious faith, to survive such a test!" exclaimed I.
+
+"But some don't survive."
+
+"O, what hallelujahs their freed spirits must sing as they find
+themselves suddenly released and soaring upward with myriads of
+rejoicing angels, to receive their welcome at the throne of God!"
+
+"Jean, I never knew anything like you!" said La Croissette. "The worse
+the stories I tell you, the greater the triumph and exultation you cap
+them with."
+
+I answered, "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of
+their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev.
+xii. II.
+
+"Do you think you could bear being put into a Hippocrates' Sleeve?"
+
+"I am not called on to think what I could bear: only to bear what is put
+on me."
+
+"Your father, every word! As the old cock crows, so does the young one.
+But after all, 'tis a fearful thing to lie at the mercy of those that
+can devise and carry out such tortures."
+
+"It is written, 'I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that
+kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do; but I will
+forewarn you whom ye shall fear. Fear Him which after He hath killed,
+hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear Him.'"
+
+"You seem to have all the texts on this particular head at the tips of
+your fingers. Did you learn them for this particular purpose?"
+
+"My dear mother used to repeat to me a text every night, and expect me
+to repeat it to her the next day."
+
+"An excellent plan," said La Croissette, whipping his horse. And he
+hummed a tune.
+
+When we reached Montauban, he said,
+
+"I must now begin my old tricks, to earn a little money;" and he drew
+up in the market-place. But the people had been as heavily visited as
+at Nismes, and were in no mood for jesting. When he began to vend his
+nostrums, an old man of severe aspect held up his hand, and said:
+
+"Peace, unfeeling man--you bring your senseless ribaldry to the wrong
+market. Here are only lamentations, and mourning, and woe."
+
+"My good sir, one must live," said La Croisette.
+
+"And how? tell me that!" retorted the old man, indignantly. "They that
+fed delicately are desolate in the streets; they that were clad in
+scarlet are cast on dunghills; the tongue of the suckling child cleaves
+to the roof of its mouth for thirst; the young children ask for bread,
+and no man giveth unto them."
+
+Then, with a wail that was almost like a howl, he tore his hair and
+cried, "For this, for this mine eyes run down with water and mine
+eyelids take no rest. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?"
+
+"Jean, I cannot stand this," said La Croissette, as the old man hurried
+away. "All the people seem with broken hearts--it takes all spirit out
+of me. I cannot even hawk needles and pins among the starving--who would
+buy?"
+
+I could only say, "How dreadful is this place! The Lord seems to have
+forsaken his sanctuary."
+
+"Let us seek another place as soon as we can--"
+
+"You forget: I am to be met here by an agent of my father's at La Boule
+d'Or."
+
+"Ah, well, we will go thither."
+
+When we drove into the inn-yard, however, we could hear unruly voices in
+the house, and feared we might fall into bad company. A man immediately
+came up to us, and said to me, in a low voice:
+
+"Are you M. Jacques Bonneval?"
+
+"I am. Are you Antoine Leroux?"
+
+"Hist!--yes. There are ill-disposed people in the inn; you had better
+not go in-doors. Can you walk a little way?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Come with me, then."
+
+"I must bid my companion farewell." Turning to La Croissette, I took his
+hand in both mine, and pressed it fervently, saying:
+
+"My dear La Croissette, adieu. May God bless you in this world and the
+next. I wish I could make some return for your exceeding kindness, but,
+unfortunately, can give you nothing but my prayers."
+
+"Pray say nothing of it," said he, cordially. "Your prayers are the very
+thing I should like to have, for, unfortunately, I am not good at them
+myself. As I pass a Calvary by the roadside I pull off my hat, in token
+of respect, you know, for what it represents; and had I had a bringing
+up like yours I might have had as pretty a turn for psalmody; but as the
+matter stands, why, you will be Jacques Bonneval, and I Bartholome La
+Croissette to the end of the chapter. As for what I have done for you,
+why, it's nothing! I was coming this way, at any rate, and I've given
+you a lift; that's all."
+
+"You may make light of it, if you will," said I, "but I know you have
+continually run risks for me; and depend on it, I shall never forget
+you. Adieu, my friend."
+
+"Farewell, then," said he, "and take my best wishes with you. I hope you
+will now slip safely out of the country, but a good piece of it remains
+before you yet. Nor are your feet in good condition for walking."
+
+"That has been provided for," said Antoine. "As soon as we get to the
+waterside we shall find a boat awaiting us, which will carry us to
+Bordeaux."
+
+"But you are some way from the water.'
+
+"Yes, but I have a cart."
+
+We then parted, La Croissette kissing me on both cheeks with the utmost
+kindness; and I turned away with Antoine. Looking round as we quitted
+the court, I had my last glimpse of his tall, meagre figure, as he stood
+with his hand on his hip, looking after me; and I thought how strange
+and disproportionate a return his kindness to me had been for mine to
+him, in lifting him up and saving him from a kicking horse on the way
+to Beaucaire. The whole scene at once started up before me--our family
+party in the wagon--the girls' blooming faces and gay dresses--the
+crowded road--the music--the bustle. Then my thoughts flew on to what
+followed--the humors of the fair--the crowded table at my uncle's--my
+betrothal to Madeleine. What a different future then seemed to lie
+before us to what awaited us now! Where was she? Should we meet soon?
+Might we not be separated for ever? I cannot tell how many thoughts like
+these passed through my mind as I limped after Antoine, who was himself
+somewhat awkward in his gait, like many of the silk-weavers from sitting
+so constantly at the loom.
+
+Thus we passed through some of the by-ways of Montauban, and entered a
+small house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+"MY NATIVE LAND, GOOD-NIGHT"
+
+
+The room we entered was destitute of furniture and blackened with smoke.
+Heaps of broken fragments impeded our entrance and lay on the floor.
+A man sitting on the ground was restlessly taking up one piece after
+another, and laying them down again, muttering to himself, without
+noticing us.
+
+"I know not why they should have done so," he said hurriedly; "the poor
+chairs and tables could not hurt. And, after all, when they hung me up
+I gave in, and kissed the cross made by their swords; and they knocked
+me about after that. If that was justice, I don't know what justice is.
+They hurt my wife, too, or she would not have shrieked out so. And her
+word always had been--'Hold out; pain may be borne; and they dare not
+kill us!' But when she saw them tie me up, she cried out, 'Oh, Pierre,
+Pierre, give in--give in!' So what was I to do? Answer me that."
+
+"This poor fellow has lost his senses," said Antoine, softly. "Wait here
+a minute. I will soon return."
+
+I stood where I was. It seemed to me from the charred remains that the
+furniture had been just broken up and then partially burnt. There was
+a great beam across the ceiling, with large iron hooks on which to hang
+bacon, onions, and such-like. From one of these hooks dangled a strong
+chain.
+
+"They drew me up with that," said he, turning his dull eyes on me, and
+the next instant looking away. "They passed the chain under one of my
+armpits, and so suspended me; and then beat me. I was not going to stand
+that, you know. My wife ran away, calling on me to give in; so what
+could I do? Could I help it? Am I a renegade?"
+
+I said, "Let us remember David's words--'Have mercy on me, O Lord, for
+my sin is great.' He did not say, 'for my sin is little--a very little
+one--the first I ever sinned;' but 'my sin is great;' and therefore have
+mercy on me. Say it after me. 'Have mercy on me, for my sin is great.'"
+
+--"For my sin is great," repeated he, melting into tears. And again and
+again he repeated, weeping, "For my sin is great--my sin is great. Have
+mercy on me, O Lord, for my sin is great."
+
+"He also hath forgiven the wickedness of thy sin," said I. "Let us turn
+unto the Lord, for he will heal us, and not be angry with us for ever."
+
+Antoine drew me away. We left the poor man in tears, and went into the
+yard, where stood a cart, with a sorry horse in it, and a heap of loose
+fagots and pieces of broken furniture beside it.
+
+"Get you in here, sir, and lie down," said he. "I will pile the wood
+over you as lightly as I can."
+
+I did as he desired. He bestowed the wood over me as carefully as he
+could, and then led the horse out.
+
+"Whither away?" said somebody, passing.
+
+"To dispose of this rubbish," said he, carelessly. "Poor Pierre's
+chattels have been reduced to mere firewood. If a trifle can be got
+for them, it may buy him bread."
+
+I thought of the two messengers to King David, whom a woman concealed
+in a well at Bahurim, spreading a covering over the well's mouth, and
+spreading ground corn thereon. I was startled when the man said,
+
+"I have a mind to buy it of you: it will do to heat my oven."
+
+"But this load is engaged already," said Antoine.
+
+"Why did you not say so at first? You said you were going to see if you
+could get a trifle for it."
+
+"I confess I expressed myself badly. My poor brother's sad state has
+bewildered me. Go you, and look in on him, and see what a pitiable
+object he is."
+
+"Well, I think I will. What is the value of this load, as it stands?"
+
+Antoine seemed so disposed to haggle for it that I confess I quaked;
+however, he set such a high value on it that the other demurred.
+
+Happily we got out of the town without further molestation. I was very
+much cramped, but that was no matter. The church-bells began to ring;
+and Antoine said, in a low voice, "How pitiable are the poor people who
+are now going to vespers on compulsion! Where will all this end? Can it
+be that he who now goeth forth weeping, and bearing good seed, shall
+return again in joy, bringing his sheaves with him?"
+
+I said, "The Lord's hand is not straitened, that he cannot save. What
+is impossible with man is possible with God."
+
+"Oh that we may live to see it, sir."
+
+We came up with a wagon, with the driver of which Antoine fell into
+conversation for some time, but what they said I could not well hear.
+At length we reached the water-side, at a landing-place where a boat
+laden with kitchen stuff was awaiting us. Here Antoine saw me safely
+placed in charge of the boatman, who bade me never fear, for he would
+safely carry me to Bordeaux. We pushed off: the moon shone cold and
+bright; the air on the river felt fresh and chill. The boatman threw a
+warm covering on me, bade me sleep, and began a monotonous boat-song.
+I soon slept.
+
+When I awoke it was late in the morning, for the bright October sun
+overhead was making the rapid Garonne quiver in a sheen of golden light.
+I found we had made good progress, and were not many hours from our
+destination. I found it inexpressibly pleasant to float down that
+bright river, as it carried me to new scenes, which love, hope, and
+inexperience painted in pleasing colors. My feet were sufficiently
+painful for me to be glad to lie idly among the piles of cabbages and
+while the time in day-dreams. Aged confessors might go forth sighing,
+"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" but to the young
+and buoyant, change of occupation and foreign travel have great
+allurement, even when rudely come by.
+
+The boatman seemed an honest poor fellow. Sometimes he exchanged
+greetings and jokes with other boatmen; sometimes he sang snatches
+of plaintive songs, such as
+
+  "N'erount tres freres
+  N'erount tres freres
+    N'haut qu'une soeur a marida:"
+
+
+for his mother was from Languedoc. At other times he talked to me
+quietly.
+
+"Yours seems a contented, merry life, said I.
+
+"Well, I make it so," said he. "Where is the good of picking up
+troubles? they come sure enough. Once I was foolish enough to think
+'What a poor lot is this, to be pulling a market-boat up and down
+stream, with greens for the seafaring men, while others go riding on
+horseback or in carriages, wear fine clothes, feast every day, and go to
+theatres at night.' But when the dragoons came I was thankful to be what
+I was. Did you hear what happened to Collette at our place? Collette was
+the prettiest girl of our village, and a good girl, but a thought too
+vain. Perhaps it is too much to expect a woman not to be vain when she
+is pretty, but all are not. Collette's skin was like lilies and roses.
+When the dragoons were let loose on us they burnt her father's
+furniture, and beat him within an inch of his life. They asked Collette
+if she would go to mass: she said, 'I will not.' They pulled her hair,
+beat her, pinched her, but she only said the more, 'I will not.' Then a
+dragoon said, 'This girl is too pert, her conceit must be lowered a
+little.' And he took a comb off her toilette, and drew it down her face
+two or three times, quite hard, till it was scratched and scored all
+over. Conceive how the poor thing was cut up! She burst into tears, and
+said, 'Take me to a convent; I don't care where I go now, so that I am
+not seen. I shall never be worth looking at again.'"
+
+"But what an unworthy motive for an unworthy act!" cried I.
+
+"But only think how she was goaded to it!" said he. "Women think so much
+of their looks. I am told the dragoons have tried that trick with many
+ladies of quality."
+
+"If they deserved the name of men they would be ashamed of it."
+
+"Well, I think so too; but see how they treat the men! Have you seen
+a chain of galley-slaves on their way to Marseilles? Certainly no
+treatment can be too bad for the infamous, but that nobles and gentlemen
+should be fettered along with felons, forgers, murderers, and
+such-like--ah, 'tis too bad!"[1]...
+
+[Footnote 1: See "Autobiography of a French Protestant." Religious
+Tract Society. A thrilling narrative, of which the Quarterly Review
+says:--"The facts are more interesting than fiction, and the incidents
+not less strange."]
+
+"But now we come to Bordeaux," said he, at length; and in fact, the
+increase of traffic on the water was sufficient of itself to tell us
+that we were approaching an important commercial city, while in the
+distance were seen the masts of ships of many nations. Nearer at hand
+the richly-wooded heights were studded with the country seats of opulent
+merchants, many of whom either were Huguenots or had made their fortunes
+by Huguenots. It was to be supposed, therefore, that we had many friends
+here; and, indeed, many were favoring our escape as much as they could
+without compromising themselves; but such jealous watch was being kept
+on the port that this was extremely difficult. Soon my companion ran his
+boat in between two others similarly laden--as far as vegetables when,
+that is, for I know not they held any fugitives; and a great war of
+words ensued, in which it was difficult to know whether they were really
+quarrelling or not.
+
+At length I got ashore, and found my way to the counting-house of my
+father's correspondent, Monsieur Bort. He was a very business-looking
+man, with a short, hard, dry way of speaking. I found him immersed in
+his books. Directly he saw me, he said, abruptly.
+
+"You are young Bonneval. You come too late. The others are gone."
+
+"Oh" And I dropped into a seat, quite stunned by this reverse.
+
+"Mais que voulez-vous?" said he. "They could not wait. The opportunity
+would have been lost."
+
+"Are they really off, and safe?"
+
+"Off they are, but whether safe--." He shrugged his shoulders and raised
+his eyebrows. However, seeing my chagrin, he added, "I imagine they are
+in the river Thames by this time."
+
+"Do you mean they are ascending the river to London?"
+
+"Precisely. It may not be so, but we may hope the best. And
+you?"--eyeing me inquiringly.
+
+"What am I to do, sir? Did my father leave me no word of direction?"
+
+"He left you his blessing, and bade you be a good boy, and submit
+yourself to my direction."
+
+"That I will gladly do, if you will direct me."
+
+"Well, I am pledged to do the best I can for you. But, unhappily, the
+surveillance is now so strict that I know not how to smuggle you on
+board."
+
+"In a box--in a cask," said I, desperately.
+
+"Have you really courage to be packed in that manner?"
+
+"Yes, if there is no alternative."
+
+"Come, you are un brave garcon! I respect you for your resolution. There
+is a vessel of mine being loaded now, and if you will really go on board
+in such a way as you propose I think we can manage it, and your durance
+will not last more than a few hours. You will be a Regulus without the
+nails."
+
+Smiling grimly at this allusion, he went out, and left me to meditate
+on what lay before me. It was not pleasant, certainly; but then the
+incentive was so great!--to join all whom I held dear, in a free land!
+The light affliction would be but for a moment.
+
+Monsieur Bort returned. "All is arranged," said he complacently.
+"I have taken the porter who will roll you into the secret. He promises
+to be as careful of you as he can. An officer on board is likewise in my
+confidence: he engages you shall be released as soon as the vessel is
+fairly under weigh. So take heart; it will be but a short trial compared
+with what many Huguenots are put to. Take this money and these papers--"
+
+After some business directions he accompanied me to the warehouse, where
+the cask awaited me, with some hay to soften my journey in it.
+
+"You are a pipe of Bordeaux, going as a present to my particular friend
+in London," said he, smiling. "Now, behave yourself as a good pipe of
+wine should; and don't cry out even if you are hurt. See, there are some
+air-holes. You won't stifle."
+
+"They are very small--"
+
+"How can that be helped? Who would have doors and windows in a
+wine-cask? You will get on board alive, will be released when well
+to sea, and must not mind a little discomfort."
+
+We shook hands, and I stepped in and settled myself as well as I could,
+with my mouth close to one of the air-holes; and the cask was closed
+upon me. The next minute I was rolled slowly off; and a most odd
+sensation it was! I advise you to try it, if you would like something
+perfectly new; but have bigger air-holes if you can; and even then let
+your experiment be short.
+
+I verily believe the porter did his best for me; but how slowly
+he rolled: and even then what bumps and jolts I had when we came to
+uneven ground! Now and then he stopped, to wipe his face and rest,
+seemingly--then on we trundled again Meanwhile I was getting exceedingly
+hot; all the blood in my body seemed mounting into my head: and
+unpleasant ideas of smothering obtruded themselves. The noises around me
+told me we were on the wharf; then the jolting and bumping became worse
+than before: I fancied I could tell we passed up a sloping plank and
+were on shipboard. Then, without the least warning, I was rolled over
+and over, and then set upon my head! but a loud cry outside drowned a
+smothered cry within; and I was placed in a horizontal position again,
+with feelings impossible to describe.
+
+I think I became sleepy after that; or else in a painless state of
+insensibility. When I woke I was numb all over, and had to rub my
+dazzled eyes as the bright daylight broke in on them.
+
+"He seems to like his quarters so well as to have no mind to turn out,"
+said a rough voice.
+
+"He wants assistance," said some one, in a kinder tone; and a handsome,
+frank-looking man laid hold of my arm, and helped me to rise. Above me
+were the sails and cordage of a ship; all around me the sparkling blue
+waves, leaping in freedom. I clasped my hands, and raised them to
+heaven.
+
+"You do well to give thanks where thanks are due," said the mate. "Now
+come into the cabin."
+
+Seeing me stagger, he took me by the arm, and kindly assisted me into
+the presence of the captain, saying, "Here is one of the noble army of
+martyrs."
+
+The captain gave me a most kind reception, made me dine with him, and
+asked me a great many questions. He then told me many moving stories of
+other Huguenots who had escaped or tried to escape to England; and he
+related such instances of the kindness of the English to the fugitives
+that my heart warmed towards them with gratitude and hope.
+
+After this I suffered much from seasickness, and lay two or three days
+in my cot, where we were buffeted of the winds, and tossed. We were
+chased by a strange ship, and had to put on all the sail we could to
+escape being overhauled; and this led to our being driven out of our
+course; so that, what with one thing and another, we we did not reach
+Gravesend till the 8th of November. Then the captain went ashore with
+his ship's papers, and, after transacting business, started for London,
+and took me with him.
+
+What a day it was for forming one's first impressions of that
+much-longed-for capital! There was a thick November fog, through which
+street-lamps sent an imperfect light; and shops were lighted up with
+candles. Vehicles ran against one another in the streets, in spite of
+link-boys darting between the horses, fearless of danger, and scattering
+sparks from their fiery torches. The noise, the unknown language,
+the strange streets and lanes bewildered me. The captain called a
+hackney-coach, and in this we made our way to Fenchurch street,
+where lived his shipping agent, Mr. Smith. We went upstairs to his
+counting-house, and found him talking to some one, who turned round
+as we entered.
+
+I exclaimed "Oh, my father!" and precipitated myself into his arms.
+He embraced me with transport.
+
+"Where is my mother? Where is Madeline?"
+
+"Safe and well, at the country-house of our esteemed friend Mr. Smith.
+Thither I will speedily take you, my dear boy. I came here to gather
+tidings of you."
+
+"How long it seems since we lost sight of one another!"
+
+"Long, indeed! And how much we have to tell each other! But we are
+in smooth water now. In this free, happy land people are no longer
+persecuted for their faith. We must begin the world again, my son; but
+what does that signify? You have youth and energy; I have experience
+and patience."
+
+The captain and Mr. Smith looked on with sympathy at our mutual
+felicitations. Soon I was with my father in a stage-coach on our way to
+Walthamstow. There, in an old-fashioned red-brick mansion, I found my
+mother, brothers and sisters, my Madeleine, and Gabrielle. What joy!
+What affection!
+
+In short, we were all, without one exception, among the four hundred
+thousand persons who forsook France rather than renounce their faith.
+Of that number, a very great many perished of famine, hardships, and
+fatigue; but we were among the many who safely reached this hospitable
+country and commenced life anew. Many of us settled without the city
+walls in the open ground of Spital Fields, which we gradually covered
+with houses and silk-factories. Here we spoke our own language, sang our
+own songs, had our own places of worship, and built our dwellings in the
+old French style, with porticoes and seats at the doors, where our old
+men sat and smoked on summer evenings, and conversed with one another
+in their own tongue.
+
+At first our starving refugees were relieved by a Parliamentary grant of
+L15,000 a year; but, God prospering our industry our trade went on
+steadily increasing till that, now, in 1713, three hundred thousand of
+us are maintained by it in England. And many others of us in friendly
+countries abroad, where we have been driven. Prosperity to those among
+whom we have settled has followed. The native land that cast us forth
+has been impoverished. Happy are the people whom the Lord hath blessed.
+Yea, happy are they who have the Lord for their God.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACQUES BONNEVAL***
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