g pages, and those people who had
nothing in common with us, who had no concern with our affairs, and who
gave themselves the title of Defenders of the Peace, finished by
declaring that they united themselves to maintain the treaty of Paris
and replace Louis XVIII. on the throne.

When I had finished, aunt turned to Mr. Goulden and asked:

"What do you think of all that?"

"I think," said he, "that those sovereigns despise the people, and that
they would exterminate the human race without shame or pity in order to
maintain fifteen or twenty families in luxury. They look upon
themselves as gods, and upon us as brutes."

"Doubtless," replied Aunt Gredel. "I do not deny it, but all that will
not prevent Joseph from being compelled to go away."

I turned quite pale, for I saw that she was right.

"Yes," said Mr. Goulden, "I knew that some days ago, and this is what I
have done. You have heard, no doubt, Mother Gredel, that great
workshops have been built for repairing arms. There is an arsenal at
Pfalzbourg, but they are in want of skilful workmen. Of course the
good laborers render as much service to the state in repairing arms as
those who go to battle; they have more to do, but they do not risk
their lives, and they remain at home. Well! I went at once to the
commandant of artillery, and asked him to accept Joseph as a workman.
It is nothing for a good clock-maker to repair a gun-lock, and Mr.
Montravel accepted him at once. Here is his order," said he, showing
us a paper which he took from his pocket.

I felt as if I had returned to life, and I exclaimed, "Oh! Mr.
Goulden, you are more than a father; you have saved my life."

Catherine, who had been overwhelmed with anxiety, got up and went out,
and Aunt Gredel kissed Mr. Goulden twice over, and said, "Yes, you are
the best of men, a man of sense and of a great spirit. If all Jacobins
were like you, women would wish only for Jacobins."

"But it was the most simple thing in the world to do!"

"No, no; it is your good heart which gives you good thoughts."

Words failed me in my joy and astonishment, and while aunt was speaking
I went out into the orchard to take the air. Catherine was there in a
corner of the bake-house, weeping hot tears.

"Ah! now I can breathe again," she said, "now I can live."

I embraced her with deep emotion. I saw what she had suffered during
the last month, but she was a brave woman, and had concealed her
anxiety from m