or such knowledge as they possessed, could now apply at the fountain
for themselves. Leon Guichard was not slow in cultivating these new
resources, and applying them to the circumstances about him; and
although many an obstacle arose, dictated by stupid adherence to old
customs, or fast-rooted prejudice against newfashioned methods, by
perseverance he overcame them all, and actually enriched the people in
spite of themselves.

"The seigneur, himself a man of no mean intellect, saw much of this with
sorrow; he felt that a mighty change was accomplishing, and that as one
by one the ancient landmarks by which men had been guided for ages were
removed, none could foresee what results might follow, nor where the
passion for alteration might cease. The superstitions of the Church,
harmless in themselves, were now openly attacked; its observances,
before so deeply venerated, were even assailed as idle ceremonies; and
it seemed as if the strong cable that bound men to faith and loyalty
had parted, and that their minds were drifting over a broad and pathless
sea. Such was the ominous opening of the Revolution, such the terrible
ground-swell before the storm.

"On his deathbed, then, he entreated Leon to be aware that evil days
were approaching; that the time was not distant when men should rely
upon the affection and love of those around them, on the ties that
attached to each other for years long, on the mutual interest that
had grown up from their cradles. He besought him to turn the people's
'minds, as far as might be, from the specious theories that were afloat,
and fix them on their once-loved traditions; and, above all, he charged
him, as the guardian of his orphan children, to keep them aloof from
the contamination of dangerous doctrines, and to train them up in the
ancient virtues of their house,--in charity and benevolence.

"Scarce had the old count's grave closed over him, when men began to
perceive a marked change in Leon Guichard. No longer humble, even to
subserviency, as before, he now assumed an air of pride and haughtiness
that soon estranged his companions from him. As guardian to the orphan
children, he resided in the chateau, and took on him the pretensions
of the master. Its stately equipage, with great emblazoned panels,--the
village wonder at every fete day,--was now replaced by a more modern
vehicle, newly arrived from Paris, in which Monsieur Guichard daily took
his airings. The old servants, many of t