keeper, Perrier; he welcomed the fugitive, and did not even ask his
name: it was a time of proscription, and his host would know nothing of
him, it was enough that he was unfortunate, and in danger. He was
disguised and he passed for Perrier's cousin. The general is naturally
amiable, and he made himself agreeable, sat by the fire, ate potatoes,
and contented himself with miserable fare. Though subject to frequent
and many painful alarms, he preserved his retreat several months, and
often heard the visiters of his host boast of the concealment of general
Gilly, or of being acquainted with the place of his retreat. Patrols
were continually searching for arms in the houses of protestants; and
often in the night the general was obliged to leave his mattress, half
naked, and hide himself in the fields. Perrier, to avoid these
inconveniences, made an under-ground passage, by which his guest could
pass to an outhouse. The wife of Perrier could not endure that one who
had seen better days should live as her family did, on vegetables and
bread, and occasionally bought meat to regale the melancholy stranger.
These unusual purchases excited attention; it was suspected that Perrier
had some one concealed; nightly visits were more frequent. In this state
of anxiety he often complained of the hardness of his lot. Perrier one
day returned from market in a serious mood; and after some inquiries
from his guest, he replied, "Why do you complain? you are fortunate
compared with the poor wretches whose heads were cried in the market
to-day. Bruguier, the pastor, at 2400 francs; Bresse, the mayor, at the
same, and general Gilly at 10,000!"--"Is it possible?" "Aye, it is
certain." Gilly concealed his emotion, a momentary suspicion passed his
mind; he appeared to reflect. "Perrier," said he, "I am weary of life;
you are poor and want money: I know Gilly and the place of his
concealment; let us denounce him; I shall, no doubt, obtain my liberty,
and you shall have the 10,000 francs." The old man stood speechless, and
as if petrified. His son, a gigantic peasant, 27 years of age, who had
served in the army, rose from his chair, in which he had listened to the
conversation, and in a tone not to be described, said, "Sir, hitherto we
thought you unfortunate, but honest; we have respected your sorrow, and
kept your secret; but since you are one of those wretched beings who
would inform of a fellow creature, and insure his death to save
yourself, the