Villegagnon | Page 6

Tourville, whose daughter despatched me to seek you out, and place myself at your service."
"Come in, my friend," said Nigel, offering him a chair. "You are, I presume, Maitre Leroux, and I am grateful to the young lady for her kindness, of which I will gladly avail myself. Shall you be ready to set out to-morrow morning?"
"I had intended to do so, but business will keep me in Paris for another day," answered Maitre Leroux; "and if you, fair sir, do not object to remain, I will gladly set forth with you at any hour you may name on the following morning. You may, in the mean time, find amusement in this big city of Paris."
Nigel, who was pleased with Maitre Leroux, though anxious to continue his journey, willingly agreed to wait for the purpose of having his escort.
"But I have engaged my horse for to-morrow," he added.
"I will easily settle that matter with Jacques Cochut; and if you will accept of my company I will call for you, and show you some of the sights of our city, as you will, alone, be unable to find your way about the streets, and may chance to lose yourself, or get into some difficulty."
"Thank you," said Nigel. "I shall indeed be glad of your society, for, except a kinsman in the guards, I know no one in the whole of Paris."
These arrangements having been made, Maitre Leroux took his departure; and Nigel was not sorry, soon after supper, to throw himself on his bed, and seek the repose which even his well-knit limbs required.
Nigel, who slept longer than was his wont, waited at the inn some time for Maitre Leroux. He was afraid to go out, lest the steward might arrive during his absence. At length his guide appeared.
"I have been detained longer than I expected," said Maitre Leroux; "but monsieur will pardon me. We have still time to see much of the city."
They set out, and during their walk visited many places of interest, of which the steward gave the history to the young Scotchman.
"Your Paris buildings surpass those of our bonny Edinburgh in size and number, I must confess," remarked Nigel; "but still we have our Holyrood, and our castle, and the situation of our city is unrivalled, I am led to believe, by that of any other in the world."
"As I have not seen your city I am unable to dispute the point," answered the steward. "Would you like to visit one of our courts of justice? Though not open to the public, I may be able to gain admittance, and I am deeply interested in the case, albeit it would be wise not to show that, and having a stranger with me will be a sufficient excuse."
"Under those circumstances I will gladly accompany you," said Nigel.
They soon reached the portals of a large building, through which, after some hesitation on the part of the guards, the steward and his companion were admitted. Nigel observed that Maitre Leroux slipped some money into the hands of two or three people, this silver key evidently having its usual power of opening doors otherwise closed. Going through a side door they reached a large hall, crowded with persons. Among those seated were numerous ecclesiastics, a judge in his robes, and lawyers and their clerks; while a strong body of men-at-arms were guarding a party of some fifty or sixty persons, who, from their position and attitudes, were evidently prisoners. They were men of different ranks; several, from their costume, being gentlemen, and others citizens and artisans. There were a few women among them also. All looked deadly pale, but their countenances exhibited firmness and determination.
"Of what crime have these people been guilty?" asked Nigel.
"Of a fearful one in the eyes of their judges," answered Maitre Leroux. "They have been worshipping God according to the dictates of their consciences, and were found assembled together in a house at Meaux, listening to the gospel of the mild and loving Saviour. They have already been put to the torture to compel them to recant and betray their associates, but it has not produced the desired effect. In vain their advocate has pleaded their cause. Listen! the judge is about to pronounce their sentence."
Dreadful indeed that was. With blasphemous expressions, which cannot be repeated, the condemned were sentenced to be carried back to Meaux; fourteen, after being again put to the torture, were to be burnt alive in the market-place; most of the others were to be hung up by their shoulders during the execution of their brethren, and then to be flogged and imprisoned for life in a monastery, while the remainder were to receive somewhat less severe, though still grievous punishment.
The hardy young Scot almost turned sick with horror and indignation as he