the statue of Justice. But as her innocent spirit rose to heaven, lo! a
terrible storm swept over the city and struck the statue with such force
that the scales of the balance were hurled down on to the pavement. When
they were picked up, in the hollow was found a magpie's nest, into the
clay sides of which the pearl necklace was interwoven.'"

[Illustration]

The blacksmith was silent, though not convinced by the notary's tale,
but he said nothing further on the subject. The notary produced his
papers and ink-horn and drew out in due form the marriage contract
between Gabriel and Evangeline; then, pocketing the substantial fee
which the farmer offered him, he drank the young couple's health and
withdrew. The old men settled down to their customary game of draughts,
and the lovers sat in the window-seat watching the moon rise and the
stars come out one by one. At nine the village curfew rang, and the
guests rose up and departed.

The next morning a betrothal feast was held in Benedict's orchard. The
young men and maidens danced gayly to the sound of old Michael's
fiddling, and of them all no maiden was so fair as Evangeline, no youth
so handsome as Gabriel. Thus was the morning passed, and soon the
church-bells and the beat of drums summoned the people to the appointed
meeting-place. The women were bidden to wait in the churchyard, while
the men thronged into the church. The guard came marching from the
English ships, and, when they had entered the sacred building, the heavy
doors were fastened and the crowd waited eagerly to hear what was
coming. Speaking from the steps of the altar, the Commander said: "You
are summoned here to-day by his Majesty the King's command, and he has
given me a painful duty to perform. The will of our monarch is that all
your lands, dwellings, and cattle be forfeited to the crown, and that
you yourselves shall be transported to other lands. And now I declare
you my prisoners."

Loud was the clamor of sorrow and anger which uprose at these words and
Basil the blacksmith shouted wildly: "Down with the tyrants of England!"
In the midst of the angry tumult the door of the chancel opened and
Father Felician entered the church. Ascending the steps of the altar,
the good priest made a gesture to command silence and all were subdued
by his noble words: "Even of our enemies let us say, 'O Father, forgive
them!'" Then he calmly conducted the evening service, and never were
prayers more earnestly s