and in hand with their desecration of everything holy in
social life, and a pre-eminence in guilt became the highest object of
ambition. Sated with slaughter, bloated with crime, the nation reeled
like a drunken savage over the ruin it created, and with the insane
lust of blood poured forth its armed thousands throughout the whole of
Europe.

"Then began the much-boasted triumphs of the Revolutionary armies,--the
lauded victories of those great asserters of liberty; say rather
the carnage of famished wolves, the devastating rage of bloodthirsty
maniacs. The conscription seized on the whole youth of France, as if
fearful that in the untarnished minds of the young the seeds of better
things might bear fruit in season. They carried them away to scenes of
violence and rapine, where, amid the shouts of battle and the cries
of the dying, no voice of human sympathy might touch their hearts, no
trembling of remorse should stir within them.

"'You are named in the conscription, Monsieur, said Leon, in a short,
abrupt tone, as one morning he entered the dressing-room of his young
master.

"'I! I named in the conscription!' replied the other, with a look of
incredulity and anger. 'This is but a sorry jest, Master Leon; and not
in too good taste, either.'

"'Good or bad,' answered the steward, 'the fact is as I say; here is
the order from the municipalite. You were fifteen yesterday, you know.'

"'True; and what then? Am I not Marquis de Neufchatel, Comte de
Rochefort, in right of my mother?'

"'There are no more marquises, no more counts,' said the other, roughly;
'France has had enough of such cattle. The less you allude to them the
safer for your head.'

"He spoke truly,--the reign of the aristocracy was ended. And while they
were yet speaking, an emissary of the Convention, accompanied by a
party of troops, arrived at the chateau to fetch away the newly-drawn
conscript.

"I must not dwell on the scene which followed: the heartrending sorrow
of those who had lived but for each other, now torn asunder for the
first time, not knowing when, if ever, they were to meet again. His
sister wished to follow him; but even had he permitted it, such would
have been impossible: the dreadful career of a Revolutionary soldier was
an obstacle insurmountable. The same evening the battalion of infantry
to which he was attached began their march towards Savoy, and the lovely
orphan of the chateau fell dangerously ill.

"Youth, however,