The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and his descendants

106 BARTHOLOMEW DUPUY IN HISTORY.
of cautious
Chap. I. changed but little, save that a species
"^ watchfulness characterizes their demeanor, and
Captain they are somewhat thinner. From time to time
of Drathey
direct keen glances toward the highway lead-
goons,
.j^g ^^ ^j^^ village, and upon a bridle-road, disappearing
in the bright foliage of the forest.
"Ah, well, Barthelemi," says Fontaine, with a
deep sigh, "at last the moment has come when I
all is lost!"
despair for France. Yes,
"I told you as much a year ago, Jacques," replies
the soldier, "and you would not believe me. Do
you remember your arraignment for the assemblage
in the woods of Chatelars—our meeting in the
Town Hall, when that villain, the Seneschal, oppressed
you— do you remember these pleasing
events?"
"Yes," said Fontaine, gloomily.
"Well, Jacques," continued the soldier, "you
doubtless remember further, that at the time of
your trial you were full of noble sentiments about
the justice of the King, the power of the laws ; you
had an abiding faith in 'confrontations/ 'recollements/
'factums/ and all the jargon of the courts.
I really admired you when, with head erect, and
flashing eyes, like Brutus or Aristides, you launched
at the worthy Seneschal the tremendous threat that
you would not sign your confrontation! You
thought that you had vindicated the eternal ma-
! Who speaks of law
jesty of justice. Justice ! Bah
or justice? Justice!" continued the soldier, gloomily,
"where are now all the grand ideas you clung
to in spite of me? Where are your confrontations,
and recollementsf His majestic Majesty has extended
his royal hand, and not one of your legal
forms remain! You were blinded by your simplicity
and singleness of heart. You did not conceive
the possibility of blood, and torture, and
murder! You did not foresee that, in a twelvemonth,
you would see in France only a flock of
sheep slaughtered by wolves ! I saw it all ! I saw
it coming, and now it comes! Yes, it comes! It