lies so deep in a Frenchman's
heart, preferred insult and contumely at home to the welcome which would
await them beyond the seas. Already, however, the shadow of those days
was falling upon them when the choice should no longer be theirs.

Two of the king's big blue-coated guardsmen were on duty at that side of
the palace, and had been witnesses to his unsuccessful appeal. Now they
tramped across together to where he was standing, and broke brutally
into the current of his thoughts.

"Now, Hymn-books," said one gruffly, "get off again about your
business."

"You're not a very pretty ornament to the king's pathway," cried the
other, with a hideous oath. "Who are you, to turn up your nose at the
king's religion, curse you?"

The old Huguenot shot a glance of anger and contempt at them, and was
turning to go, when one of them thrust at his ribs with the butt end of
his halberd.

"Take that, you dog!" he cried. "Would you dare to look like that at
the king's guard?"

"Children of Belial," cried the old man, with his hand pressed to his
side, "were I twenty years younger you would not have dared to use me
so."

"Ha! you would still spit your venom, would you? That is enough, Andre!
He has threatened the king's guard. Let us seize him and drag him to
the guard-room."

The two soldiers dropped their halberds and rushed upon the old man,
but, tall and strong as they were, they found it no easy matter to
secure him. With his long sinewy arms and his wiry frame, he shook
himself clear of them again and again, and it was only when his breath
had failed him that the two, torn and panting, were able to twist round
his wrists, and so secure him. They had hardly won their pitiful
victory, however, before a stern voice and a sword flashing before their
eyes, compelled them to release their prisoner once more.

It was Captain de Catinat, who, his morning duties over, had strolled
out on to the terrace, and had come upon this sudden scene of outrage.
At the sight of the old man's face he gave a violent start, and drawing
his sword, had rushed forward with such fury that the two guardsmen not
only dropped their victim, but, staggering back from the threatening
sword-point, one of them slipped and the other rolled over him, a
revolving mass of blue coat and white kersey.

"Villains!" roared De Catinat. "What is the meaning of this?"

The two had stumbled on to their feet again, very shamefaced and
ruffled.

"If