rs he could
not understand."

"Strikes?"

"Well, not exactly strikes--he did not contend that we workmen had not
full right to combine and to strike for obtaining fairer money's worth
for our work; but he tried to persuade me that where, as in my case, it
was not a matter of wages, but of political principle--of war against
capitalists--I could but injure myself and mislead others. He wanted to
reconcile me to old Gerard, or to let him find me employment elsewhere;
and when I told him that my honour forbade me to make terms for myself
till those with whom I was joined were satisfied, he said, 'But if
this lasts much longer, your children will not look so rosy;' then
poor Heloise began to wring her hands and cry, and he took me aside and
wanted to press money on me--as a loan. He spoke so kindly that I could
not be angry; but when he found I would take nothing, he asked me about
some families in the street of whom he had a list, and who, he was
informed, were in great distress. That is true; I am feeding some of
them myself out of my savings. You see, this young Monsieur belongs to
a society of men, many as young as he is, which visits the poor and
dispenses charity. I did not feel I had a right to refuse aid for
others, and I told him where his money would be best spent. I suppose he
went there when he left me."

"I know the society you mean, that of St. Francois de Sales. It
comprises some of the most ancient of that old noblesse to which the
ouvriers in the great Revolution were so remorseless."

"We ouvriers are wiser now; we see that in assailing them, we gave
ourselves worse tyrants in the new aristocracy of the capitalists. Our
quarrel now is that of artisans against employers."

"Of course, I am aware of that; but to leave general politics, tell me
frankly, How has the strike affected you as yet? I mean in purse? Can
you stand its pressure? If not, you are above the false pride of not
taking help from me, a fellow-conspirator, though you were justified
in refusing it when offered by Raoul de Vandemar, the servant of the
Church."

"Pardon, I refuse aid from any one, except for the common cause. But do
not fear for me, I am not pinched as yet. I have had high wages for some
years, and since I and Heloise came together, I have not wasted a sous
out of doors, except in the way of public duty, such as making converts
at the Jean Jacques and elsewhere; a glass of beer and a pipe don't cost
much. And Heloise is