usehold
is far from you, flown, dead, your tender child requires more
affectionate, more gentle attendance, than these people here, with all
their good will, are able to bestow. I shall be wretched, if you reject
my petition."

The Counsellor gazed long on the youth's dark, sparkling eyes. "My
dear, beloved son," said he then, "I am indeed bound to you by the
dearest ties; oh, ought I not call it friendship cemented with blood?
How shall I command you, as you are here the guest of our benevolent
host? I dare not now have any attendants, I must conceal myself, I must
appear as a poor man of inferior condition. Would you wish to belong to
me, so that I might put full confidence in you, you must give me
further knowledge of yourself. Who are you? from whence come you? your
appearance is too refined and delicate for service to be your vocation;
this small, nobly-formed hand has not yet been hardened by any labour,
your pale face has never yet been exposed to the inclemency
of the seasons; tell me then what is your parentage, your name, how you
became a member of this unfortunate rebellion?"

"Dear, beloved, paternal friend," said the pale Martin with a gush of
tears, "did you but know the excruciating pain you give my heart by
these questions, you would spare me. Will it not suffice, that I
venerate your family, that it has long been my desire to be at your
beloved side? you can guide, you can reform me; let my whole life be
consecrated to you. I can, I dare not return, they would seize and
sentence me to an ignominious death; my brethren too, the Camisards,
distrust me and hold me for a traitor. Why put my poor parents to the
blush, by naming them at this moment? They brought me up with
tenderness and affection, and the more bitter must their sorrow be, to
behold me degenerate, and liable to be executed. They are wealthy, but
not of such high rank as to have their name disgraced by my humble
services in my attendance on the noblest of men."

"I will believe you, young man!" cried the Lord of Beauvais; "could
such an eye as that deceive? Be to me in lieu of child, of son, perhaps
soon----." He could not proceed from emotion, and Martin also appeared
deeply moved.

The repast was served up and Godfred also returned from his wandering
loaded with poultry, and delicate vegetables, Eveline descended, who in
her peasant's attire appeared very attractive; the Counsellor placed a
chair for Martin, by the side of Eveline, sayi