d promise him>self a fortunate issue. Edmond
advanced, and cried out, "Surrender young man; you behave gallantly, it
would grieve me were you killed here uselessly. I promise you
protection and good treatment until you are exchanged for some of ours
taken prisoners."

"Miserable rebel!" exclaimed the captain, "dost thou think, that I would
receive pardon from such a villain as thou? I know thee, Beauvais,
perjurer, apostate; the executioner at Nismes awaits thee already.
Look down into that valley, incendiary, and still speak of good
treatment!"---He looked searchingly at the youth, glanced down on his
sword and fired his pistol at Edmond, it missed, and Edmond at the same
moment shot a ball through his breast, so that he fell dead. The
remainder were killed in the melee, the sergeant, who was still mounted
fled precipitately from the height down the rock, Mazel and his
followers were already far distant pursuing the enemy.

Edmond descended with those who would accompany him. In a vineyard they
enjoyed the repose and frugal fare which could be quickly prepared for
them. The old man was revived by a few drops of wine. "Beauvais, art
thou my son?" began he, as he saw himself alone with Edmond.--"I am
called," said the latter, "after your baptismal name, Edmond; as a
testimony how my father has ever loved you."

"Ah, thou dear friend of my youth," said the old man with a deep sigh,
"why must I become acquainted with thy son under such circumstances? In
this way then have the dreams of thy love, our religious inspirations
been embodied? Thus are our fanatic presentiments fulfilled? To these
murders and burnings, to these horrible cruelties must we awaken and
call our whole youth folly and illusion? Ah! verily poor Louison, thy
love to thy protectress has been badly recompensed. You were right
unfortunate Caspar, that you did not know in what moment and in what
sufferings your happiness would terminate. Now you lie together in a
bloody embrace. Why cannot I say to myself, no, this is but a dream!
Awake thou miserable old man, and find thy commune, thy children, the
former tranquil repose, the sweet peace, and thy beloved church again!
Woe! woe! to ye, ye poor, ye innocent! and threefold woe upon the
wretches who brought this horror into these distant valleys."--He
covered his head, and wept bitterly.

The twilight was extending itself. The pastor wished to visit once more
the ruins of his church, and they descended the