ry
compelled to act the part of a bear. I said how grateful I felt to the
worthy mayor for the assistance he had given me, as also for his
introduction to Monsieur Planterre. While I was speaking, La Touche was
summoned out of the room by a servant. He in a short time returned, and
then, to my surprise, gave his mother and sister a full account of the
way I had rescued Monsieur Planterre from the hands of the mob.

Mademoiselle Sophie appeared to be highly interested, and kept looking
at me while her brother was speaking, and, although she did not join in
the praises her mother lavished upon me for what she called my gallant
conduct, evidently regarded me as a hero.

"You have come into our country in what I fear will prove troublous
times," observed La Touche, as we were seated at the supper table. "The
people are inclined to take the law into their own hands in other places
besides Vernon, and are specially ill-disposed towards the _noblesse_,
who, they declare, have been living on the fat of the land, while they
have been starving. Our friend Monsieur Planterre, after what has
occurred, not considering his life safe in the town, has come out here,
but thought it wiser not to appear as a guest, lest it should be
reported that I have entertained him. My people suppose him to be a
lackey, as he acts the part to admiration; and he will take his
departure to-morrow morning, without, I hope, being discovered, so that
they will all be ready to declare that Monsieur Planterre has not come
to the chateau."

"Yes, there is a sad time coming for France, from what I hear is taking
place in Paris," said Madame La Touche. "The people have already got
the upper hand, and the king himself is, I fear, in hourly peril of his
life."

"Ah! we must not think or talk about such things too much," said La
Touche. "My object at present is to make our guest's stay in France
pleasant, and not to speak of disagreeable subjects. Sophie will, I am
sure, aid me in that object."

Sophie smiled, and said that such an occupation would afford her much
pleasure.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

CONCLUSION.

As the supper was at a comparatively early hour, we retired to the
drawing-room, where the young lady played and sang, with much spirit,
several lively airs, which her brother selected. She then chose one for
herself of a more plaintive character, which had, as she intended it
should have, a strange effect upon me. I listened in rapt