rama was, and what my lines might be, I could only guess. The
story of Colonel D'Ortez, too, furnished me much food for reflection
these long starlit nights, when I sat in my favorite seat in the very
prow of the vessel. There would I sit night after night, watching the
phosphorescent waves rippling against the vessel, gleaming fitful in
the gloom; there observe the steadfast stars, and seem alone with
darkness and with God.

One wet morning, pacing the slippery deck, the sailing master called to
me:

"See, sir, yonder dim outline to the nor'east? 'Tis the Norman coast;
this night, God willing, we sleep in Dieppe."

My errand now consumed my entire attention, so I thought no more of my
companions of the voyage, bidding them both good-night before we had
yet landed.

CHAPTER IV

THE ROAD TO VERSAILLES

At the break of day, rumbling out of the little fishing village, I was
surprised to see both Broussard and Levert astir as early as myself,
each in a separate coach, traveling the same direction. I thought it
strange that they chose to go separately, and that neither had told me
of his expected journey. However that might be, as it suited my
purpose well to be alone, I disturbed not myself with pondering over
it. Yet I wondered somewhat.

The King and Court were at Versailles; so judging to find Serigny there
I turned aside from my first intention and proceeded thither. I was
shocked by the universal desolation of the country through which I
passed. Was this the reverse side to all the _Grand Monarque's_ glory?
I had pictured _la belle_ France as a country of wine, of roses and of
happy people. These ravaged fields, these squalid dens of misery, the
sullen, despairing faces of the peasantry, all bore silent protest to
the extravagances of Versailles. For the wars, the ambition and the
mistresses of Louis had made of this fair land a desert. Through the
devastated country roamed thousands of starving people, gaunt and
hungry as the wild beasts of the forest; they subsisted upon such
berries as they found, but durst not touch a stick of their lord's wood
to thaw out their frozen bodies.

Young as I was, and a soldier, the sight of this wide-spread suffering
appalled me, though being no philosopher I reasoned not to the cause.
Yet this was the real France, the foundation upon which the King had
reared the splendid structure of his pride.

It was some time during the second day, I think, when we pa