fully they will come in a
tempest of lawlessness and vengeance."

"Well, they are getting all they want," the marquis said peevishly.
"They are passing every law, however absurd, that comes into their
hands. No one is opposing them. They have got the reins in their
own hands. What on earth can they want more? There might have been
an excuse for rebellion and riot two years since--there can be
none now. What say you, abbe?"

The abbe seldom took part in conversations on politics, but, being
now appealed to, he said mildly:

"We must allow for human nature, monsieur. The slave who finds
himself free, with arms in his hands, is not likely to settle down
at once into a peaceful citizen. Men's heads are turned with the
changes the last two years have brought about. They are drunk with
their own success, and who can say where they will stop? So far
they find no benefit from the changes. Bread is as dear as ever,
men's pockets are as empty. They thought to gain everything--they
find they have got nothing; and so they will cry for more and more
change, their fury will run higher and higher with each disappointment,
and who can say to what lengths they will go? They have already
confiscated the property of the church, next will come that of the
laity."

"I had no idea you were such a prophet of evil, abbe," the marquis
said with an uneasy laugh, while feelings of gloom and anxiety fell
over the others who heard the abbe's words.

"God forbid that I should be a prophet!" the old man said gravely.
"I hope and trust that I am mistaken, and that He has not reserved
this terrible punishment for France. But you asked me for my opinion,
marquis, and I have given it to you."

Despite these forebodings the winter of 1790 passed without
disturbance at the chateau.

In the spring came news of disorder, pillage, and acts of ruffianism
in various parts. Chateaux and convents were burned and destroyed,
and people refused to pay either their taxes or rents to their
landlords. In the south the popular excitement was greater than in
other parts. In Burgundy there was for the most part tranquility;
and the marquis, who had always been regarded as an indulgent
seigneur by the people of his estate, still maintained that these
troubles only occurred where the proprietors had abused their
privileges and ground down the people.

CHAPTER IV

The Clouds Gather

Occasionally and at considerable intervals Harry received letters
fr