Switzerland, Holland, England and Germany, where they were well
received, for the poorer ones were industrious mechanics, had knowledge
of manufactures, and carried many arts and advantages to other lands. I
had no inclination to go with them. Gracious heaven! home is sweet,
where man is born, air and water seem good to him, where my language is
understood, there is my heart. Added to this, I loved a maiden; and
besides, they intended to make me a royal ranger. The thing pleased me,
and with love, domestic joy and happiness in my native land; I bound up
the mouth of conscience so close, that like a dancing bear, it could
not bite around it. The extensive emigration, the fortune that they
carried away with them, caused a great sensation, this they had never
suspected and probably thought all were quiet cattle like myself, and
just as willing to let themselves be bound to the manger. Now under
pain of being sent to the gallies, every body was prohibited to quit
the country; Ah! that gave a shock, and completely so, when they did it
in reality, and, as an example, several old noblemen were chained to
the oar. The anguish was great in the land. All were forced to attend
mass; the dragoons were sent out; the people tortured; the children
shut up. The most enthusiastic went out together into the woods and
caverns, and prayed there and preached to one another. Whomsoever they
found thus employed, was without further ceremony broken alive on the
wheel; hanging was a favour. Our Intendant thought to crush the affair
with prompt violence, and appalling horror, that old and young needed
only to be quickly reminded of their religion. People often think in
reality, because they are themselves convinced of the matter, and that
it is only carelessness in others: they wish to recall them to
themselves, and often in the midst of their barbarity, they do not mean
so badly towards them."

"Thou art right Mazel," interrupted Edmond, "I myself was of this
belief a short time ago." "But now," continued the old man in his
relation, "all our souls acquired an entirely different colour, they
were clad in new vestments, for we had not thought of it thus, and we
came to our recollection, but in a very different manner. Were I in the
wood and my dog only whined, it seemed precisely to me as if it were my
conscience. Yes, I was struck, I sought for, but could not find the
hidden jewel. My wife then consoled me once more, and thought that all
would