“Jacques, dear Jacques,” said Madeleine, whispering energetically and distinctly, close to my ear, “be of good courage, and God will help thee.  I have found a place of safety in the vaults of Les Arenes, whither Gabrielle has already taken the children; and now, if you can but master the pain enough to get there with such help as we can give you, before the dragoons return, we shall all be safe.”

“Oh, most certainly I will,” said I, trying to rise; but when I attempted to set my feet to the ground, I was in such anguish that I nearly fell down; but what will not “needs must” effect?  The poor galley-slaves at Marseilles and Dunkirk can tell how, when it seems impossible for them to pull another stroke, the taskmaster’s whip, mercilessly applied, proves that they not only can pull still, but pull well too.  I am ashamed to say how these two beloved women had almost to carry me, a stout youth; and even all their strength might have been insufficient but for the potent spur of the dragoons’ return.  With an arm round the neck of each, and resting almost my entire weight on their shoulders, I managed to scuffle along, very slowly and with fearful pain, towards Les Arenes.  We paused now and then, under the deep shadow of a wall, for me to regain my strength.  I was astonished at my mother’s utter forgetfulness of herself in her care for me; and said, “Were you much burnt, my mother?”

“No, my son; no,” she answered, cheerfully; but in truth she was sadly seared and blistered, and her heroism under suffering might be likened to that of the martyrs of old.

“What took place after I fainted?” said I.

“They believed you were dead, and threw you into the road,” said my mother, “saying they hoped the dogs would come and lick your blood like Ahab’s.  After that a trumpet was blown, and there seemed something going on in the town, and they all ran off.  The children had meanwhile taken refuge with Madeleine; and I then took the opportunity of raising your father, after cutting his bonds, and sending him off to the factory, whence he was to return with men to carry you away, but they have never come, and I fear some mischief may have befallen him.  I would fain have gone to see, but you were my first object.  I could not carry you, and went to Madeleine for help.  She had just gone with Gabrielle and the children to Les Arenes; but while I was preparing bandages and a liniment for your poor feet, she returned and accompanied me back.”

“Madeleine is a good angel,” said I, pressing my arm more closely to her.

“What is your case to-day, may be ours to-morrow,” said she.