Perrine came forward. Father Paul took
her hand and placed it in Gabriel's. "Lead her to the altar
steps," he said, "and wait there for me."
It was more than an hour later; the boats had left the ship's
side; the congregation had dispersed over the face of the
country--but still the vessel remained at anchor. Those who were
left in her watched the land more anxiously than usual; for they
knew that Father Paul had risked meeting the soldiers of the
Republic by trusting himself on shore. A boat was awaiting his
return on the beach; half of the crew, armed, being posted as
scouts in various directions on the high land of the heath. They
would have followed and guarded the priest to the place of his
destination; but he forbade it; and, leaving them abruptly,
walked swiftly onward with one young man only for his companion.
Gabriel had committed his brother and his sisters to the charge
of Perrine. They were to go to the farmhouse that night with his
newly-married wife and her father and mother. Father Paul had
desired that this might be done. When Gabriel and he were left
alone to follow the path which led to the fisherman's cottage,
the priest never spoke while they walked on--never looked aside
either to the right or the left--always held his ivory crucifix
clasped to his breast. They arrived at the door.
"Knock," whispered Father Paul to Gabriel, "and then wait here
with me.
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