he wondered how
many in France were thus attended. When in after years he saw go by men
who had been the lesser agents in the massacres, or those who had
brought the innocent to the guillotine, he wondered at the impunity with
which all save Marat had escaped the personal vengeance of those who
mourned, and, mourning, did nothing. Even during the Terror, when death
seemed for so many a thing to face smiling, the man who daily sent to
the guillotine in Paris or the provinces uncounted thousands, walked the
streets unguarded, and no one, vengeful, struck. In fact, the Terror
seemed to paralyze even the will of the most reckless. Not so felt the
young noble. He hungered for the hour of relief, let it bring what it
might.

The simple and wholesome life of the Quaker household had done much to
satisfy the vicomtesse, whose life had never of late years been one of
great luxury, and as she slowly learned English, she came to recognize
the qualities of refinement and self-sacrifice which, with unusual
intelligence, made Mrs. Swanwick acceptably interesting. It became her
custom at last to be more down-stairs, and to sit with her embroidery
and talk while the knitting-needles clicked and the ball of wool hanging
by its silver hoop from the Quaker lady's waist grew smaller. Sometimes
they read aloud, French or English, or, with her rare smile, the
vicomtesse would insist on sharing some small household duty. The serene
atmosphere of the household, and what Schmidt called the gray religion
of Friends, suited the Huguenot lady. As concerned her son, she was less
at ease, and again, with some anxiety, she had spoken to him of his too
evident pleasure in the society of Margaret, feeling strongly that two
such young and attractive people might fall easily into relations which
could end only in disappointment for one or both. The girl's mother was
no less disturbed, and Schmidt, as observant, but in no wise troubled,
looked on and, seeing, smiled, somewhat dreading for Rene the inevitable
result of a return to town and an encounter with his enemy.

Genet had at last been recalled, in December, but, as Du Vallon told
Schmidt, Carteaux was to hold his place as charge d'affaires to Fauchet,
the new minister, expected to arrive in February, 1794.

On the day following the revelations made by Schmidt, and just after
breakfast, Margaret went out into the wood near by to gather autumn
leaves. Seeing her disappear among the trees, De Courva