must unfortunately take this cursory method,
for the welfare of the country and the preservation of millions demand
it."

"Then I am condemned without being judged? judged without having been
heard? they commence with the punishment and will be at leisure
afterwards to enquire into the case," said the Counsellor of Parliament
with bitterness.

"Do not be angry, my worthy sir," said the Lord of Basville. "There is
no question of all this yet, the proofs of it must be much more
positive; but you cannot yourself deny, that one may be allowed to look
upon you with suspicion, when so much is alleged, against you."

"And what then is required of me?" said the Counsellor.

"Nothing, unreasonable," replied the man of gravity, "nothing, to which
you can in justice offer any opposition. Yesterday I published a new
manifesto of his Majesty, wherein, nobles and citizens are summoned,
urgently, entreatingly, and commandingly, to stand up unanimously for
their country and religion. Three hundred young men have presented
themselves; let your son be free as his years demand, permit him thus
to testify his attachment to his king, for it is scarcely six weeks
since, when in my apartment, in presence of the Lord Marshal, he
complained with tears in his eyes, that your excessive parental
affection lays a heavy restraint upon him, and prevents him from
showing his zeal. You prevent him now again by your fatherly authority;
now, certainly, these indications joined to your indifference would
with myself weigh heavier in the scale. Your answer, my Lord Counsellor
of Parliament!" "My son," said the father with constrained displeasure,
"is free; he may serve the king according to his wish if he sets his
happiness upon it."

The Intendant bowed in silence, refused all refreshment and the
afflicted father followed the carriage with tearful eyes, as it rolled
away.--"Is it then, come to this?" exclaimed he, "you have now Edmond,
what you wished, I could not say no. You will now spare the roe and the
deer, and keep your balls for the chace after your brethren!--Oh what
folly to have allowed him to go with that thoughtless old man, under
these circumstances; if these blood-thirsty men knew that!--Aye, we
think to steer the bark of life with foresight and wisdom, and should
the tempest have but a moment's intermission, at the first calm we let
go our oars and dreaming we are wrecked on a rock."

Eveline entered from the garden, the old man emb