Villegagnon | Page 6

her release.
He had sat for some time when he was aroused by a knock at the door,
and the servant of the inn announced that a person desired to speak with
him.
"Let him come in," said Nigel; and a respectable-looking man,
somewhat advanced in life, as was shown by his silvery locks, stepped
forward.
"I am attached to the house of the Count de 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