oice, which
yet I heard, being next him. "Only think how we have been annoyed and
injured the last two or three years, by edicts differing greatly from
the Edict of Nantes. That one, for instance, which rendered us liable to
the intrusion of Catholics into our temples, to spy at our observances,
pick up scraps of our sermons, and report them incorrectly. What
advantage the rabble have taken of it!"

"Too true," said my father, gravely.

"Last year," pursued M. Bourdinave, "that attempted confederacy for
mutual protection, when all our closed meetinghouses were reopened for
worship, showed what temper our adversaries were of."

"It was an ill-considered measure," said my father, slowly.

"Ill-conducted, rather," said M. Bourdinave. "The act should have been
simultaneous; whereas the want of concert among our people betrayed
their weakness, and laid them open to attack. The military at Bordeaux
acted with shocking barbarity."

"I do not like to think upon it," said my father. "I trust there will be
no recurrence of such lamentable scenes."

"I much fear there will be, though," said M. Bourdinave, gloomily.
"Satan desires to have us, that he may sift us like wheat. Let us hope
to abide the trial."

At this moment a burst of noisy music, drowned their voices; and the
needle-seller's horse, which was just before us, making a sudden start,
the poor needle-vendor was thrown off his balance, and jerked out of his
cart on to a heap of flints by the road-side, while his horse began to
kick. Giving the reins to my father, I jumped out, and ran to his
assistance; but he was so prickly all over, that it was difficult to lay
hold of him. His needles and pins ran into my fingers in a dozen places.
To make matters worse, his nose began to bleed, so that he was in a
pitiable plight. However, I picked him up at last, found he was not
seriously injured, gave him a clean handkerchief (which he promised to
return), and started him off again in his cart, in a sitting position
this time, and much crestfallen.

The throng increased as we approached Beaucaire, and when we got into
the streets there was frequently a complete stoppage. Oh, what a lively
scene it was! and what a noise! Music playing, bells ringing, people
talking at the top of their voices. What joyous meetings I what hearty
welcomes! what various smells of fried fish, hot soups, and roast meats!
Truly, the Fair of Beaucaire exceeded my liveliest imaginings, and yours
wi