Ce n'est point la splendeur d'un royal hyménée Que jamais désira moncœur ; En me nomant sa bien aimée, Sans etre roi, fit le bonheur ; Et je préfère à la couronne Un doux regard de l'amitié. I paused awhile, and the sentinel, drawing near me, observed to me in melancholy accents; I am afraid that these princes are more wretched than Mary Stuart. If they have any friends left, where are they? At least they have one left.....they have two; but what can the friendship of a poor musician and of a solitary sentinel avail them? The musician may sing romances, and the sentinel may guard them. Go on, old man, those bars are firmly fixed, and it will require stronger hands to remove them. The sentinel turned round peevishly, and I resumed my song. Cher époux, cours aux pieds de ma sœur de la reine, Et cette auguste souveraine, En brisant pour jamais ma chaine, Ainsi que nous répétera ; Sceptre l'éclat qui t'environne Ne mérite que la pitié ; Et je préfère à la couronne Un doux regard de l'amitié. I must confess, that whilst I was singing, I meditated on the words of the sentinel, I observed his stately but decent gait, the strong expression which accompanied his remarks, their extensive meaning, and concluded, that he was devoted to the royal family. I then arose and advanced towards him with a view to make myself known, and to consult with him on the means to relieve the prisoners. At that instant a woman at the window repeated, in sweet and tremulous accents, Sceptre l'éclat qui t'environne Ne mérite que la pitié ; Et je préfère à la couronne 9 Do you understand, said the sentinel, taking hold of my hand eagerly? Very well, answered a harsh voice from the dark. Gentlemen royalists, proceed.... We are lost, exclaimed the sentinel; come, my friend, said he to me, raising his voice, let us deserve the honour of dying for so noble a cause. He was yet speaking, when the yard was filled with armed men, advancing by the light of a number of torches. The man, who had driven me off the terrass of the Feuillans, came up to me, told me I was his prisoner, and bid me follow him. The sentinel, being relieved, was placed by my side, and we were escorted by a large party of armed volunteers, preceded by a number of flambeaux, and led through St. Honoré's street, through that of the Pont Neuf, and from the quay of the silversmiths to the depot of mayoralty. Were I inclined to interest your feelings in my behalf, I should not want means, by describing the sufferings which resulted from this and my subsequent arrestation. But I have no wish to divert your attention from a family much more to be pitied than myself, and shall only introduce my name when it is indispensable not to break the thread of events. My first care, as soon as I entered the mayoralty, was to write to my pupil, young Lord Fitz Asland, whom I warned against two things principally; first, the calling on me; secondly, the taking any steps to procure my release. We were not yet acquainted with the ways of tyranny, and were quite ignorant of its practice. I believed, for my part, that my liberty would immediately follow my detention, and was so sincere in my belief, that I did not hesitate to sign my real name to my billet, not suspecting, that the inquisitorial eye of the police would examine its con tents.. There were thirty two persons detained in the prison of the mayoralty of all ages, sexes, and ranks. There were several gentlemen of the chamber, some dignified noblemen, among whom I recognised Mr. Rohan Chabot, several clergymen, five or six women, and a few foreigners. When we arrived, the conversation was animated, but it ceased immediately. AIL eyes were intent on us. I perceived that the appear. ance of a beggar, whose garb I had preserved, excited astonishment and disdain. It was natural to suppose that an honest beggar was not a suitable person to be admitted into such company; for the reverses of fortune which subdue the heart, do not eradicate prejudices, and there are many, who will own as royalists those only, who wear red heel shoes and blue ribbons. I shall not fatigue you with a description of my new abode, where, after all, I remained but three hours. I was then summoned to appear before an administrator of the police, who, after examining me in due form, ordered that I should be transferred to the Force prison. I attempted to object that a poor beggar could not excite suspicions, and could not be dangerous. But the man in authority looked angrily at me; this deception, said he, ill becomes you, if you are an honest man, lying and imposition ought not to be in your mouth. I am willing to grant that you are a beggar, a cymbal player for a credulous public, but through this ragged veil the eye of the police can discriminate the truth. You are Abbé de Fermont. So decided a |