from The Bijou Literary Annual, 1828
author: By the author of "The Subaltern."
source date: 1828
edition published: 20170606
availability: Freely available via a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

The Bijou;
or Annual of Literature and the Arts

compiled by William Fraser
William Pickering London
1828
pp. 149-172

Marie's Grave: A Tale of the Landes

By the author of "The Subaltern."

IT is hardly necessary to remind the reader that at the close of the Peninsular war orders were issued for the formation of an encampment in the neighbourhood of Bourdeaux, where the regiments which had been selected to reinforce Sir George Prevost in Canada, as well as to carry on hostilities along the shores of the United States, might assemble. It fell to the lot of the **** regiment of light infantry to form one of the corps appointed for the last-mentioned of these services. Having been attached to the left column of Lord Wellington's army we were stationed, when the above intelligence reached us, under the walls of Bayonne, at the distance of ten long day's march from the point of rendezvous; but we welcomed the communication with not less alacrity on that account, and made ready, on the 14th May, 1814, to act in accordance with its tenor.

Of the particulars of our journey I am not at present called upon to give any account, farther than that in all its stages, and in every circumstance connected with it, it was most delightful. The weather chanced to be peculiarly favorable. Not a shower of rain, or a blast of wind, overtook us during the whole of our progress; and though towards noon the heat usually became more oppressive than agreeable, we managed by starting every day an hour or two before sun-rise, to escape most of the inconveniences which might have otherwise affected us. Every thing moreover, animate and inanimate which came in our way, had about it an air of exquisite novelty. The costume and personal appearance of the people, the arrangement of their houses, fields, vineyards and gardens, the order of their domestic life, were to us perfectly new, and interesting. We struck into the Landes, on the morning of the third day, and if any of my readers have happened to visit that wild district, he will doubtless attest that one more singular, or more prolific in extraordinary spectacles, has seldom been pressed by the foot of a traveller [sic].

Amidst the huge forests of pine which overspread the whole face of this region, there are scattered at wide intervals from one another, a few villages, or rather hamlets, remarkable for their extreme beauty, and for the air of primitive simplicity and contentment which hangs over them. They consist, for the most part, of from ten to twenty cottages, the walls of which are composed entirely of wood, and the roofs uniformly covered with straw. Each stands apart in the centre of its own neat garden and enclosure, whilst to the distance of perhaps a quarter of a mile in every direction, a circle of cultivated fields encompasses the whole. It rarely happens that a stream of limpid and excellent water is wanting in the vicinity, and a church, suited to the humble charactor [sic] of its simple worshippers, was a conspicuous feature in every one of the hamlets that lay along the line of our march.

The quarter-master-general had so arranged our route that we were every day enabled, after compassng [sic] a sufficient extent of ground, to encamp in the neighbourhood of one or other of these delightful villages. The inhabitants proved in all instances, as obliging, as their poverty and secluded course of existence authorised us to expect; and if the women were not always remarkable for personal beauty they were, at all events, invariably goodnatured [sic], and lively. It happened that on one occasion I had my feelings wrought upon to a degree beyond my anticipations; and as the affair appeared at the moment worthy of being noted down, perhaps even now it may be deemed not undeserving of mention.

The night of Saturday the 21st of May, having been spent in the village of St. Muret, at two o'clock on Sunday morning, our tents were struck and we were in motion. Our route lat, as usual during the preceding week over a deep sandy track, cut through the heart of a dreary pine-wood, and our journey, on account of the absence of a convenient spot for halting, proved to be particularly tedious and fatiguing. We had traversed something more than six leagues; the hour of noon was past, and the heat had become intense, when a sort of shout uttered at the head of the column gave notice, that a resting place was in view. The shout did not deceive us. The leading files had already emerged from the wood into the customary range of open country; and in little more than half an hour afterwards our camp was pitched in one [sic] the loveliest situations which it had occupied since the commencement of our progress.

Unlike its fellow-hamlets, La Barbp the village, beside which we now halted did not stand in the midst of an extensive area of bare meadows, and low corn-fields. Meadows and corn-fields there doubtless were but their surfaces were beautifully diversified by the frequent interspersion of clumps of oaks and chesnuts [sic]; whilst numerous undulations in the ground produced a species of tasteful irregularity, which gave to the little landscape the appearance, rather of a park, or gentleman's enclosure, than of lands portioned out into fourteen or fifteen different farms. A rivulet of the purest water issued from the forest upon the right, and flowing gently onwards, wound round the base of a green hill, upon which, about a stone's throw apart from the other buildings, was erected the village church. In the village itself I saw nothing to distinguish it from the others. It consisted as usual of wooden cottages, not one of which, in point of architecture or decorations could claim a superiority over the others. And even the very cure or vicarage, if such it deserved to be called, was nothing more than a cabin, clean and neat, indeed, but presenting the lowliest aspect.

Every body [sic] knows, that Sunday is observed in a French village as a day, not of relaxation only, but of jubilee. We therefore found the villagers in their best attire, assembled on the green or common, round which their cottages stood; and as they came forward in a body to bid us welcome, they presented upon the whole, a very striking and picturesque appearance. The men were conspicuous for their jackets of coarse brown cloth, their grey or brown breeches, blue stockings and large wooden shoes, but it was in the garb of the women that the distinction paid to Sunday might be most readily noted. The boddice [sic] laced up with blue or scarlet ribbon; the bright scarlet petticoat, made so scanty as to display the scarlet clock [sic] which ornamented the blue stocking, these, with the handkerchief tied round the head with more than ordinary care and neatness, gave intimation that the toilette for that day always occupied much time, and particular attention. All, however, seemed to enjoy the same excellent flow of spirits, and not a few of the younger had gladly availed themselves of our band, to continue the dancing which our approach had interrupted.

As soon as the bustle of encamping came to a close, I directed my steps towards the church, with the design of joining in the devotions of these simple people, or at least, of offering up my own orisons, from within consecrated walls. In this, however, I was disappointed; the priest, it appeared, officiated at another village besides La Barbp, taking the one in the morning, and the other in the evening, alternately; and as on this day, divine service had been performed here in the morning, it would not be repeated. Though a little chagrined at this circumstance I nevertheless followed up my original design so far, as to take a hasty survey of the interior of the pile; and then proceeded to indulge a favourite whim, by strolling leisurely through the humble cemetery by which it was surrounded.

I found the churchyard moderately studded with green mounds, but wholly devoid of head-stones or columns to tell the names of the persons who slept beneath. Wooden crosses seemed to be the only species of monument erected by the people of La Barbp to the memory of their deceased relatives, and of these, though they were almost as numerous as the graves themselves, not one bore a word or letter of inscription. Even the garlands, which throughout most parts of France it is customary for the survivors to twine over the tombs of those whom they loved, were all, with a solitary exception, wanting here. Upon one cross, and one only, hung a wreath of flowers; and though the blackened hue of the wood told a tale of exposure to more than one summer and winter, the garland was fresh and fragrant, as if gathered and arranged this very morning. I was much struck with the contrast which the condition of this grave, as compared with the others, presented, and, sitting down, was beginning to give free vent to fancy, when the noise of approaching footsteps disturbed my reverie. I looked round, and beheld, advancing towards me, a man in the common garb of the country. His age seemed to be about three or four and thirty; but in his general appearance there was nothing at all remarkable except that an upright carriage, one empty sleeve, and a pair of monstrous mustachios, indicated that he had been a soldier, and had served in the memorable wars of his country. As he drew nearer, however, I examined him more closely, and observed, or fancied so, a peculiarly mild and even melancholy expression in his eye. Whether or not I was correct, little time was granted to consider, for he raised his hand to his hat and coming forward at once, with the freedom and frankness of his country entered with me into conversation.

"I perceive, Monsieur," said he, "that the garland upon the cross which distinguishes this grave from those around it, has attracted your attention." I assented to his remark, and proceeded to inquire whether he could give me any information respecting the individual who had suspended it there, and the person to whose memory it was consecrated. "I can indeed, sir," answered he; "I can satisfy you fully on both these heads; it was I that gathered it, it was I that wove it, and it was I that hung it here; it is a task which I religiously perform on the return of every Sunday morning, and she to whom I dedicate my weekly offerings, was the best, as she was the loveliest maiden of the province. Perhaps you may desire to learn something of her history. If you will allow me to take the privilege of a brother soldier I can sit down beside you; and God help me, I shall derive as much satisfaction, though it be a melancholy one from relating the brief detail, as you can have from listening to it." I immediately, and with the utmost readiness, accepted his proposal, upon which the villager seated himself by my side, and began as follows:

"I am a native of this place, as from my address and dialect you have doubtless already guessed. My name is Jean Baptiste, and my father, whose only child I am, is accounted the wealthiest and most skillful cultivator in all the department. You may perceive that bating the loss of this arm (and that occurred six years ago, ought not to tell against me), I am neither worse made, nor less personally attractive than my neighbours; whilst I can appeal to all that know me, whether my temper be not as mild, and my disposition as amiable, as those of any lad in these parts."

I could not suppress a smile at this most characteristic display of French egotism. "Why Jean," said, laughing, "I thought you were going to tell me a tale connected with the fair tenant of this grave; but you seem more disposed to instruct me concerning your own good qualities and fortunes." "Ah! Monsieur," replied he, "you may smile if you please, and say on that point what you will; but believe me I speak the truth. Yet what availed all these advantages. Marie, the beautiful and gentle Marie, whom I loved with my whole heart, and to promote whose happiness I could have willingly sacrificed my life, would not listen to my suit. It is a fact, indeed it is, she slighted my accomplishments, undervalued my wealth, and preferred to me a poor neighbour, who had nothing to recommend him, that I, at least, could discover, except that he was of a less fair complexion, and possessed a tolerable share of bodily strength and activity. Well, well, I could not quarrel with the girl for that, nor yet forsake my friend because he supplanted me, for Lewis Charmont was my friend, and dear to me as my own soul.

"It is hardly necessary to inform you, that La Barbp has been inhabited by the ancestors of those families which inhabit it now, since the day when the good saint first planted these forests, and stayed the sands from moving. Under these circumstances you will not be surprised to learn, that we are all accustomed to regard one another as brothers and sisters, and that the poorest man amongst us is not despised or treated as an inferior, by the richest. But though this be, and has ever been the case, it is still only natural that even in our small community particular friendships should bind individuals more closely to each other, than the tie of common regard which binds the same individuals to the whole body. Such has long been the case with the Charmonts, the Clausels, and the Baptistes. Our ancestors loved one another from the remotest period; no change in worldly circumstances ever interfered with their feelings; our parents were as if they had descended from the same stock; and we *** I mean Lewis, Marie and myself *** inherited their attachment.

"Lewis Charmont was by one year only, my junior; Marie Clausel was two years younger than he. From the very cradle we were companions and playmates; nay were more, *** Lewis was the brother of my adoption, and Marie was our sister. Ah! Monsieur, those were blessed days, when each holding a hand, we led the sweet girl forth towards the river, and seating her on the bank the one plied his rod and line, whilst the other chased the butterfly which she admired, or wove a wreath of wild flowers for her fair brow. But childhood passed away, and youth came, to make us acquainted with the true state of our feelings, and to teach us that we were rivals. We both loved Marie, loved her to absolute idolatry; yet we loved each other at the same time, and never, no not for an instant did a pang of angry jealousy rankle in our hearts.

"As we approached to manhood, Lewis and I, differing widely in our propensities and pursuits became by degrees not less truly friends, but less fre- quently companions. Lewis was agile, daring and adventurous; field sports, violent bodily exertions, especially where danger was to be surmounted or difficulties overcome, carried him away from his home, and the operations of agriculture; whereas my habits and tastes were all quiet and domestic. I cultivated my father's fields, contentedly and cheerfully, and was never so happy, as when I found leisure to dress Marie's garden, and stock it with the rarest and choicest plants within my reach. Yet for all this, she rejected my addresses: she withdrew not, indeed, from my society, but she refused to listen to my vows, and her refusal was so mildly and so affectionately pronounced that I only loved her the more because I felt my suit was hopeless. The truth is, Monsieur, that her affections were already engaged. She preferred to me, (who was continually at her side,) him who bestowed but a small portion of his time or attention upon her; but spent whole days, and sometimes nights in the woods, only that he might bring home and present to her the head of a wolf or the skin of a bear.

"In this condition affairs continued for some time. We never dreamed of concealing from each other how our affections were disposed of; on the contrary Lewis was all along aware that I loved Marie tenderly, and I was equally aware that Lewis loved her also; yet that either was preferred by her to the other we both continued ignorant, till an accident drew forth the secret.

"Early in the year 908, there arrived in our village a sub-officer's party of Gendarmerie, bearing an order from the prefect of the department, to enrol [sic] four young men from the division of La Barbp, for the service of the army. Such an order, coming from such a quarter, could neither be disputed nor evaded; the names of all the villagers capable of bearing arms, were put into a cap, and that of Lewis Charmont came up. Lewis himself, naturally brave and enterprising, uttered no complaint against his fortune, but rather rejoiced, in the prospect of honor and advancement. Lewis continued as yet ignorant of the possession of Marie's affections, for though repeatedly urged, she had hitherto refused to acknowledge it, though now, however, concealment was at an end. A threatening separation effected that which years of intimacy and familiar intercourse had failed to effect; and in the bitterness of her agony she yielded a full confession. I was present when she assured him, that she lived for him and him alone; that his departure would be to her a blow which she could not survive; that she would not even desire to exist, did he abandon her. What could I do. I saw indeed that my own hopes were blighted, and that Marie's coldness sprang not from indifference, but from a positive predilec- tion for another. But that other was my friend; Marie I still loved as before; could I be contented to behold this misery! No, Monsieur, though naturally averse to a life of bustle and contention I determined on the instant, to volunteer in Lewis's room, I did so without so much as consulting him, and was accepted.

"Not all the misery which in my quieter hours has followed up the reflection that Marie was lost to me for ever [sic]; not all the grief which was my lot when I committed her delicate form to the earth, have been able to efface the blessed recollection of the moment when the flushed cheek, and glittering eye I told her that her lover was free, and that they might thenceforth be happy together. Ah! Monsieur, that was indeed a moment of rapture, of rapture such as I shall never again experience when I heard her address me as her brother and preserver; when I felt her arms around my neck, and her warm tears upon my cheek, and received the sweetest and most rapturous kiss that the lip of woman ever bestowed! Oh! whole years of agony could not suffice to blot out the recollection of those moments; a life of pain were but a poor price to offer for their repossession! But they passed away; and I marched off, if not happy, at all events, satisfied that I had done my duty, and that there were two kind hearts which beat in gratitude for me, whose own was little better than a blank.

"My satisfaction was, however, but of short duration. I had sojourned but a few weeks at the dépôt, when the arrival of Lewis, as one of a fresh batch of conscripts, gave proof that the sacrifice which I had made had been to no purpose. A second call for recruits, it appeared, produced a second ballot; and the name of Lewis, as if heaven had decreed that he should not elude his destiny, was again among the number of the drawn. You may well believe that my friend for some time after his enlistment was melancholy enough, when I inform you that the very day was named which ought to have made Marie his own; yet he recovered his spirits by degrees, applied steadily to his drill and his duty, and bore himself as proudly, and was as much admired as any man in the ranks, when the detachment began its march to join the army in Spain.

"Lewis and I were fortunate enough to be appointed to the same corps, and the same company, indeed we were comrades. We were fortunate too in being commanded by a brave and good officer; and to fill up our measure of good luck, were sent off to serve under one of the ablest and most humane generals whom France has produced. We were ordered to Catalonia, at that time the province of the gallant and generous St. Cyr. This happy combination of events naturally tended to make us look to the future with a less desponding gaze, and upon the past with greater resignation; we acknowledged that our lot might have been far less desirable, and we were contented.

"No particular events befel [sic] us on our journey towards the frontier. On the whole, we were treated with sufficient consideration by the inhabitants, who bestowed on us a thousand wishes for our success and safe return, and we came up with the army just as it had taken its ground, and begun to make preparations for the siege of Rosas. You are, doubtless, aware, that the defence made by the garrison of that fortress was exceedingly obstinate and gallant. Though our trenches were gradually drawn to the very crest of the glacis, and our saps penetrated the escarpment, the governor refused to surrender; nothing therefore remained but to try the fortune of an assault, and for this perilous service volunteers were invited to offer.

"The first man who presented himself on that occasion was Lewis Charmont. It was in vain that I reminded him of Marie, and of the necessity under which he lay of guarding his life, as far as circumstances would allow, for her sake. He only smiled at my remonstrance, and squeezing my hand, replied, that if he fell, Marie would honor his memory, and if he survived, he should be the more worthy of her, as he would have acted like a brave man, and earned a medal.

"The assault took place, and was successful. The carnage on both sides was terrible, but the town fell, and Lewis escaped unhurt. That I rejoiced at his escape you will, I am sure, believe; yet let me be candid, I did envy him, for the first and only time in my life, when I beheld him next morning upon parade with the medal already suspended from his button. Bitterly did I upbraid myself that I had not volunteered also; and I resolved that he should never again earn a distinction to which I should not be equally entitled; nor was I without hope that even Rosas might be to me, as it had been to him, a theatre of renown. The citadel still held out, principally, I believe, through the exertions of your countryman, Lord Cochrane, and a few of his sailors; and it continued for many days to withstand all our efforts. I was one of those who thrice endeavoured to storm it, and were thrice repulsed; but the works were demolished at last by cannon shot, the English were compelled to abandon them, and we took possession of the ruins.

"Worn out with the labours of a tedious and harassing siege, we fondly looked forward, now that the place had fallen, to the enjoyment of at least a few days of repose, but we were disappointed. The critical situation of Barcelona, at that period blockaded by the enemy, called upon the general to make every effort for its preservation. It was by far the most important of all our possessions on that coast, for the loss of which hardly any success would have compensated; so St. Cyr having determined that it should not change masters through any negligence on his part, made ready, without a moment's delay, to succour it. On the evening of the day which saw our flag hoisted upon the ramparts of Rosas, the order to prepare was issued, and at an early hour next morning the whole army was in motion.

"The direct road from Rosas to Barcelona leads, you must know, under the very guns of Hostalrech, a fortified town, which was then held by a numerous Spanish garrison. Conscious that any effort to force a passage must be attended by a heavy loss, and unwilling to waste time by reducing the fort, St. Cyr resolved to penetrate, as he best could, through the mountain; and having found a shepherd who professed to be acquainted with the different tracks, he took him for his guide. The man was no traitor. He conducted the column, by a difficult and circuitous route, round the hill upon which Hostalrech is built, and brought it in safety, after a perilous and fatiguing march, once more into the high road.

"On this occasion Lewis Charmont and myself were both attached to the rear-guard. It was not very efficient in point of numbers, though the general was pleased to say that we were all brave men, on whom he could perfectly depend; and it came not off so well as the column which it was appointed to protect. During the earlier part of the day, indeed, we, like those in front of us, went on without beholding an enemy; but about four o'clock in the afternoon we suddenly found ourselves watched by a very superior force; which, in spite of our most strenuous efforts to prevent it, succeeded in throwing itself between us and the rear of the column. For and instant we fell back, as if uncertain what course to pursue; the main body, we were well aware, would not, and could not halt to succour us, they could not even spare reinforcements to bring us off, for the defile of Trientepasos was before them, which must be passed that night or never; there was, therefore, no help to be expected from that quarter. The idea of surrendering, whilst we had arms in our hands, could not be borne for a moment; more especially as we were not ignorant that he who became a prisoner to the Spaniards was less to be envied than his comrade who fell in battle. Though they exceeded us in numbers by four to one, we resolved to fight our way through them, and either to make good our passage, or perish in the attempt.

"The Spaniards were advantageously posted on the brow of a wooded height, and galled us dreadfully, as we rushed on, with their fire, but our charge was decisive; for one instant they stood the shock, in the next we had pierced them. And now all was hurry and confusion; it was our business to escape, each man as he was best able, and we were not very scrupulous as to the means. We ran as fast as weariness would permit, preserving, however, for a time an irregular line, and stopping occasionally, as a convenient space offered, to check the pursuit by our fire; but at last even our skirmishing order was lost, and we fled and fought in files or singly, as chance or circumstances directed.

"In this manner the tiraillading continued till hardly light enough remained for us to point our muskets, when Lewis, who throughout the whole affaire had kept by my side, fell to the ground. You will wonder when I tell you, that notwithstanding the situation in which we were placed, it never once occurred to me that my friend could be wounded; I imagined that he had merely lost his footing, and I stooped down, in the careless turn of mind which such a belief was calculated to create, in order to assist him in rising. What then were my sensations when I found that he made no reply to my inquiries, and on examining him more closely, discovered that a musket ball had struck him just where the shoulder joins the neck, and passed into his vitals. My very brain swam round, yet I retained self-command sufficient to raise him in my arms, and to entreat that he would exert his utmost strength, as the fire was fast slackening. He did so, and I led him to the rear; but we had not proceeded a dozen paces before he exclaimed in a feeble voice, 'It is useless, Baptiste, I cannot proceed farther. Go, go you, save yourself for poor Marie, and leave me to die.' I could not act thus, Monsieur; it was not in my nature to abandon any one, more especially the friend of my heart, under these circumstances; so partly carrying, and partly dragging, I contrived to hurry him along, till a cottage opportunely offering, I conveyed him into it. It was deserted and in ruins; yet with a winter's night closing rapidly upon us, I was too thankful even for such a shelter to pass it by.

"The firing had now ceased; our people having made good their retreat, and the enemy fallen back to Hostalrech; but that was a matter about which I was perfectly regardless. I thought only of my friend, for whom the plundered hut afforded no comforts, and but a very partial shelter. I laid him upon the mud floor, and tearing my handkerchief into shreds, attempted to staunch the blood which welled from his broken limb; but all my efforts were fruitless, it flowed in spite of them. When I looked at his countenance, too, that told me plainly enough that there was no hope; the half-closed eye and fallen jaw, not less than the pale lit and livid cheek, warned me that Lewis was departing. Wild with my own fears, I called upon him in the name of Marie, and of all the tender associations connected with his native village, to rally himself, and take courage; and at last, finding that he paid no heed to my adjurations, I sat down beside him in despair, buried my face in my hands, and wept aloud. The sound of my lamentation reached him even in his last moments; he looked up, and in a tone scarcely audible, exclaimed, 'Do not weep, Baptiste, do not weep, it must be thus, we must all die. Tell Marie that I fell as became me; and give her my medal, that she may occasionally look upon it, and remember me when I am gone. Tell her, likewise, that with my last breath I consigned her to you; you love her, Baptiste, that I know; and I need not add be kind to her, for to whom was my friend ever unkind? May you be happy together, and the thought that you are so *** .' He could not finish the sentence; no doubt he meant to say, that his spirit would look down upon our happiness with delight, but the word died upon his lips, the lips themselves ceased to move, and he was a corpse.

"Ah, Monsieur, if you have ever known what it is to witness the dissolution of a friend who was dear to you as the air which you breathed, then, and then only, will you be able to imagine what my feelings were at this moment. Alas! I could not even pay to him the last tribute of friendship; I could not lay him in a grave; but I did what I could; I took his medal from his breast, and fetching a quantity of straw from an adjoining chamber, I spread it over him; I knelt down, too, and breathed a fervent prayer for his soul's repose; and then with swollen eyes, and a heavy heart, set out to overtake my regiment.

"I need not pursue the remainder of my story with any particular minuteness. I came up with the corps at the farther mouth of the defile, for the Spaniards, contrary to all expectation, had permitted us to thread it unmolested; and I partook of the bivouac which they had formed on the plain of Llenas. But our repose was of short continuance; the dawn had just begun to break when a heavy column showed itself in full march towards the pass; no doubt could exist as to the force which composed the column; so the drums beat to arms, and in five minutes after the army was in line.

"Of the action which ensued, and which ended in the total defeat of the Spaniards, I cannot pretend to give any account, for the cannonade had scarcely begun when a round shot struck me in the left arm, and took it off. I was carried from the field along with hundreds besides, and having suffered amputation, was removed to a crowded hospital, where, during many weeks I endured all the misery attendant upon inadequate accommodation, imperfect nursing, and scanty provisions. At last, however, thanks to a naturally good constitution, I recovered; and being no longer serviceable, I received my discharge, but no pension was allowed me; I had not served long enough, it appeared, to merit one; indeed I was left to make my way, as I best might, through the whole breadth of France, without receiving any assistance than that which private benevolence afforded. Thus mutilated, and a beggar, I reached my home exactly ten months from the day on which I quitted it.

"And now, Monsieur, it only remains for me to repeat the saddest portion of my story. Poor Marie had received no account of her lover since he departed, and had pined and languished after him, like a bird robbed of her young. Her health, naturally delicate, was already impaired by suspense; how then could it be expected that she would bear up against the terrible reality; she did not, Monsieur. I broke the matter to her as delicately as I could, but even thus she was unable to bear it; the intelligence that Lewis was no more came upon her like a thunderbolt upon a bruised reed *** it crushed her. When I strove to cheer her by making mention of her lover's valour, her tears only flowed the faster; and when I pulled out his medal, and gave it to her as his last bequest, it seemed as if her heart would have broken. She took it, laid it upon her bosom, and to her dying day kept it there; nay, it was not removed from her even in death, it is buried in her grave. No, no, Monsieur, I could not speak to one, thus afflicted, of new ties; I never told her that Lewis had bequeathed her to me. The poor stricken doe had no pasture to fly to; she lingered on for a while, and died.

"Six years and a half have passed since we laid her in the dust; she had then barely completed her twenty-first year, and the merciful God never took to himself a purer or a chaster spirit. For me, it has ever since been my chief delight to deck her grave, as you see it even now. Every Sunday I gather fresh garland for the purpose; and as long as life remains, I will continue the practice."

Though there was something French in this poor fellow's story, I was, upon the whole, a good deal affected by it; and deeming it not unworthy of a place in my scrap-book, I noted it down.