And he would have turned away.  It was a humiliation.  Was not he the representative of the Unseen, the vice-gerent, with power over heaven and hell? but something was here more strong than he.  He stood by my side in spite of himself to listen to the ambassador.  I will not deny that such a choice was strange, strange beyond measure, to me also.

‘Lecamus,’ I said, my voice trembling in my throat, ’have you been among the dead, and do you live?’

‘I live,’ he said; then looked around with tears upon the crowd.  ’Good neighbours, good friends,’ he said, and put out his hand and touched them; he was as much agitated as they.

‘M.  Lecamus,’ said I, ’we are here in very strange circumstances, as you know; do not trifle with us.  If you have indeed been with those who have taken the control of our city, do not keep us in suspense.  You will see by the emblems of my office that it is to me you must address yourself; if you have a mission, speak.’

‘It is just,’ he said, ’it is just—­but bear with me one moment.  It is good to behold those who draw breath; if I have not loved you enough, my good neighbours, forgive me now!’

‘Rouse yourself, Lecamus,’ said I with some anxiety.  ’Three days we have been suffering here; we are distracted with the suspense.  Tell us your message—­if you have anything to tell.’

‘Three days!’ he said, wondering; ’I should have said years.  Time is long when there is neither night nor day.’  Then, uncovering himself, he turned towards the city.  ’They who have sent me would have you know that they come, not in anger but in friendship:  for the love they bear you, and because it has been permitted——­’

As he spoke his feebleness disappeared.  He held his head high; and we clustered closer and closer round him, not losing a half word, not a tone, not a breath.

’They are not the dead.  They are the immortal.  They are those who dwell—­elsewhere.  They have other work, which has been interrupted because of this trial.  They ask, “Do you know now—­do you know now?” this is what I am bidden to say.’

’What’—­I said (I tried to say it, but my lips were dry), ’What would they have us to know?’

But a clamour interrupted me.  ‘Ah! yes, yes, yes!’ the people cried, men and women; some wept aloud, some signed themselves, some held up their hands to the skies.  ‘Nevermore will we deny religion,’ they cried, ’never more fail in our duties.  They shall see how we will follow every office, how the churches shall be full, how we will observe the feasts and the days of the saints!  M. Lecamus,’ cried two or three together; ’go, tell these Messieurs that we will have masses said for them, that we will obey in everything.  We have seen what comes of it when a city is without piety.  Never more will we neglect the holy functions; we will vow ourselves to the holy Mother and the saints—­’

‘And if those ladies wish it,’ cried Jacques Richard, ’there shall be as many masses as there are priests to say them in the Hospital of St. Jean.’