feelings about the hazardous and
plucky attempt of the colonies to free themselves from England; and he
frankly expressed his joy when news of their success at Trenton was
received. This very spirit of independence in the young French noble
made him all the more a favorite among the English who, together with
their king, did not in the least dream that the foolish rebels across
the sea could accomplish anything by their fantastic revolt.

Among other acquaintances made in England at this time was one
Fitzpatrick, whose life was to be strangely mingled with Lafayette's
in later days. Fighting on opposite sides of the conflict in America,
they were yet to meet cordially between battles, and Lafayette was to
send letters in Fitzpatrick's care to his wife in France--letters in
which he took pains to inclose no matters relating to the war, since
that would have been unsportsmanlike; still later, owing to a tragic
concurrence of events, this even-minded and generous Englishman was to
make persistent appeals to the English government to take measures to
free Lafayette from a hateful imprisonment in an Austrian stronghold,
gallant appeals, made, alas, in vain!

As soon as Lafayette could conveniently withdraw from his English
hosts he did so, and hurried back to Paris, where he kept himself as
much out of sight as possible until the final preparations for the
voyage were completed. At last all was ready and Lafayette reached
Bordeaux where the boat was waiting. Here swift messengers overtook
him to say that his plans were known at Versailles. Lafayette set
sail, but he went only as far as Los Pasajos, a small port on the
north coast of Spain. Here letters of importance awaited the young
enthusiast, impassioned appeals from his family and commands from his
king. The sovereign forbade his subject to proceed to the American
continent under pain of punishment for disobedience; instead, he must
repair to Marseilles and there await further orders.

Lafayette knew what this meant. His father-in-law was about to go to
Italy and would pass Marseilles on the way. Lafayette was to be made
to go with him on an expedition where he knew he would be monotonously
employed, with no prospect of exercising his energies in any congenial
project. He was not without many proofs as to what might happen to him
if he disobeyed these orders and risked the displeasure of the king.
The Bastille was still standing and the royal power was absolute!

Le