Gabriel
dared not trust himself yet to speak; but he raised his arm, and
put it gently round his father's neck. The two stood together so,
looking out dimly through the tears that filled their eyes to the
sea. They saw the boat put off in the bright track of the
moonlight, and reach the vessel's side; they watched the
spreading of the sails, and followed the slow course of the ship
till she disappeared past a distant headland from sight.
After that, they went into the cottage together. They knew it not
then, but they had seen the last, in this world, of Father Paul.
CHAPTER V.
The events foretold by the good priest happened sooner even than
he had anticipated. A new government ruled the destinies of
France, and the persecution ceased in Brittany.
Among other propositions which were then submitted to the
Parliament, was one advocating the restoration of the road-side
crosses throughout the province. It was found, however, on
inquiry, that these crosses were to be counted by thousands, and
that the mere cost of wood required to re-erect them necessitated
an expenditure of money which the bankrupt nation could ill
afford to spare. While this project was under discussion, and
before it was finally rejected, one man had undertaken the task
which the Government shrank from attempting. When Gabriel left
the cottage, taking his brother and sisters to live with his wife
and himself at the farmhouse, Francois Sarzeau left it also, to
perform in highway and byway his promise to Father Paul.
Pages:
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382