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ment (o let yon accomplish (hut, act, of devotion, of w
sacrifice that God certainly requires of you since He )
h::B inspired it. No, I should not be lews resigned, less strong
and courageous than Joseph's mother my dear, noble sist v.
And, Victor, my 4ear son, if your devotion should only bo
crowned in heaven ; if the most painful of all trials wore im-
posed on me, I'd still esteem myself Lappy to be the mother of
a martyr. But, as you say, my poor child, I fenr you can't ob-
tain your father's consent. He doesn't understand, like us,
the duties, the sacred mission, the will of God imposes on . yo
Be assured, then, my sou, of all the goodness and indulgonco
of God, who will certainly exhibitHin satisfaction at your good
in eutions, your generous idmegatii n, nnd will not demand
from you an account of that vow your father's wishes shall
"
have prevented you accomplishing.
" Then the justice of God will weigh heavily on my father.
Oh !
I would a hundred times rather be the only one to expiate,
the only one to suffer."
"
Well, my dear Victor, let UR redouble our zeal, piety and
fervor, every time we pray for the salvation, the conversion of
your father. Oh ! the Lord will at length be touched by so
many prayers, so many tears we will ; triumph, my son a ;
secret hope tells me so."
The young man seemed to reflect for an instant, observing a
profound silence ; suddenly, trembling and raising his head
lie cried :
'
Mother I must I ought to go !"
" But your father forbids yon. Where is then your resolu-
tion ? Will you persist in braving the paternal authority ?"
"Oh ! certainly not. Bi.t thi< consent, I feel I ought to ob-
tain it at any price. Mother, I must go, I ninst ; God calls
me. All ! if I could tell you everything ! But no it is a se-
;
me, this is bad, this is unheard of, and above all very cruel !
My child, my beloved son, give me what belongs to me, give
me my part, let me lighten your burden or share your pniu. "
" Well," replied the young man resolutely, " since yon wish
it, mother, you shall know all. Listen, dear mother, and
when you'll know you'll blame me no longer." And here lie
bent over close to his mother's face, and blushingly i:* in-mured
Bfmo words in a low, tender, and almost inaudible voice.
His mother's countenance beamed with the light of heavenly
joy ; a look of ecstasy and love glanced through her tearful
eyis, and doubtless reached, through the azure depths, the
throne of the Divine Majesty.
"
Oh, Victor, my dear sou ! Oh
has given me !
!
.1 n 1 1 /:/./: x. i ci; ll
what a treasure heaven
Yes, my dear son, yon shall go, even if your
mother were to address her last prayers to heaveu, and shed
her last tears for you !"
And, pressing him to her heart, she imprinted on his brow
the holiest, the tenderest, and sweetest of holy maternal kis-es.
" Alas !" resumed the young man sadly, " my father will
hj'll keep his word."
not consent ;
" God will help us ; we'll unite our prayers, my son. I'll
undertake to speak to him to renew ; your entreaties. GoJ
will i!o the rest ; confidence, my child, and good hope. Go,
now, and rest yourself and resign yourself to the protection of
God and your mother's efforts."
Madame Morren had no doubt presumed too much on the
influence she ordinarily exercised over her husband's mind.
M. Morren remained deaf to all arguments; indifferent to all
reasonings, insensible to all prayers.
" Such is my will ; my resolution is immovable," he re-
1 in a determined tone. " Let Victor cease to solicit me ;
let him be resigned ; I'll never, never, consent to this de-
parture."
And Victor appeared to be resigned, and ceased to importune,
his father. But a few days had not passed by when the
wearied look of his young face betrayed the fatal traces of the >se
secret pangs, those holy, saddening aspiration;;. The young
man with the I rosy
.. he brilliant tin; gJU, light,
'ul, yet robust i. ,c phiee to a sad
dreamer, a fr il exilo who seemed drooping towards th
)!' the tomb. Now this complete change, as sudden as
IVarl ill, naturally could not ( r;,; ,. !t father's eye. Tho old
man I grew anxious, afllieiiV, and yi would not give in.
"
My consent " No, never ! never !
" he repeated after each
new terror, each new grief. Indeed, could a skeptical and in-
different, incredulous and unbelieving father, consent of himself
to the accomplishment of that suen.'a-e of an only and
tenderly loved sou ou the altar of faith and love ?
CHAPTER V.
THE DEPABTtTKE.
The much-desired day at length dawned. It wan one of the
calmest, purest, the sun had ever adorned with its radiant
light.
The whole village of Schrambeck was en fete. From the
trees overshadowing the great market-place depended the
Belgian tricolor, or Pontifical banners displaying on a white
ground the Tiara and Cross-keys. The facades of several
buildings and some large houses were decorated with devices
expr 'ssive of joy and prosperity to the defenders of the Holy
Father. Some of the-townsfolk were putting the last finishing
touch to the decorations of their dwellings; others, including
several of our old acquaintances, were assembled near the
church door exchanging comments and reflections.
" What are they waiting for so loi-g ? They ought to be here
already," declared the hostess of the Cross-bow.
cret that belongs not to me alone that I me into the tomb."
ought to bear with
Madame Morren here fixed a glance
ment upon her son.
"
What, Victor ! secrets from your
of profound astonish-
mother ! Oh ! believe
"Bah ! they can't be long now," replied the rural guard.
"
Half an hour ago I saw Martin, happy as a king and newly
accoutred, going into Madame Van Duel's."
"Was his mother with him ?" asked the baker's wife.
" Not a doubt of it," replied the blacksmith.
"
Truly that
old Teresa is a brave woman."
"She's a good soul any way," said Wouters, the carpenter.
"But, don't yon know Madame Van Dael and Joseph spared
neith; r applications, trouble, nor efforts to get that poor old
Teresa into the alms-house ? It's certainly a great happiness
for her; she has now an asylum and a morsel of bread for the
rest of her days."
" Indeed those Van Daels are excellent peop'e," continued
"
the blacksmith, Sus. If I could be any use whatever to the
lady, in Joseph's absenca, she may count on me; I am entirely
devoted to her.
her."
There's nothing I'm not ready to do to pie se
" What a pity Victor Morren can't accompany them !" sighed
old father John. "The poor lad would have given his right
hand to obtain his father's consent; but that stubborn old
Morren wouldn't listen to him." 'Twas Joseph told me, for he
got a letter from his cousin, who'd be here now rejoicing, and
ready to go,
if his father -were more tractable.
" Here they are ! here they are !" suddenly shouted the
spectators grouped in the high street of the village. For
Madame Van Dael approached with Joseph and Mary, Tere.sa
following with her son Martin.
Tho young volunteers were received with clapping of hands
as well as vociferous and sympathetic acclamations. OKI
Pierre Piquet, who had made his way to the front, applauded
witli all his vigor, to show the ( sincerity f his enthusi:.
"Bravo ! Joseph, bravo! Martin; you're an honor to Schrambeck
!"
"Indeed, my friends, you're too good beluve ; me, we don't
deserve such honor;" said young Van Dael, cordiully shaking
hands with Piquet and his honest companions.
" You deserve much more," responded Piquet iu a determined
tone. "I served under Napoleon, and you know I'm