e dense multitude was seen retreating over the
mountains, Edmond was standing in deep thought, and the old Lord, after
having unlocked his gun, gave it to the servant, to carry away. The
hermit drew near abashed, as if he felt considerably diminished in size
since the day before. "I leave your house, my Lord," said he, in a
voice scarcely audible, and with a heart greatly depressed; "I had
almost drawn upon your honoured head the malediction attending my own
errors, but the Lord has averted it." He took the road to Nismes; the
huntsman had already slipped away.

"My Lord Counsellor of Parliament," cried the priest, "you have not
seen us to-day in the most favourable light, now that all has passed
off happily; I am a man again; courage revives once more within me, I
could now show you that I am no coward, if a few of these villains
would but return. Receive my thanks, honoured sir, and you too my
young--but what do I see?" Now, for the first time, he perceived
that he was politely taking leave with his hat in his hand, and his
night-cap still on his head;--abashed he pulled it off, and thrust it
into his pocket?--"This is the worst of all," said he, his whole face
reddening; "One may thus see to what a sensible man may be reduced in
these troublous times." He again made a hasty bow and retreated.

"Who was this youth?" asked the old Lord. "Probably one of those
infamous rebels," replied Edmond in great wrath; "I had rendered
perhaps a service to God and the king, if I had sent this ball after
him!" "Father," said the child, "believe me, he was the angel Gabriel,
and brother Edmond will yet be converted, and love him as I do." "Go to
bed again, my little one," said her father, "you require rest, poor
child!"

"That was no good night," said Eveline, "so now good morning, father!
it grows so beautifully bright!" she retired with the female
attendants, and Edmond and his father alone remained behind in the
saloon. They were both silent for a long time, at length Edmond took
his gun, and said, "what do you think of all this, and especially of
this mysterious fellow, who can demean himself so innocently, and with
so much _naivete_?"

"I must not express my thoughts," answered his father, "perhaps they
would sound too romantic. You will leave us again, my son? and probably
will not come back to dinner?"

"You know," replied Edmond, "my passion for hunting and the delight I
take in mountains and forests; nature elevates us