Such men are the anointed of the Lord,
and there is danger in meddling with sacred things. Let God take care
of his own, and place, displace, and replace them on their purple
seats. But if you have counted the cost, and seen the poor return that
will come to you, you are tenfold greater in my eyes than I thought
you--"
"Ah! you are bewitching. Don't attempt to indoctrinate my followers,
or I shall be left without a man."
"If you would let me convert you, only you," she said, "we might live
happily a thousand leagues away from all this."
"These men whom you seem to despise," said the marquis, in a graver
tone, "will know how to die when the struggle comes, and all their
misdeeds will be forgotten. Besides, if my efforts are crowned with
some success, the laurel leaves of victory will hide all."
"I see no one but you who is risking anything."
"You are mistaken; I am not the only one," he replied, with true
modesty. "See, over there, the new leaders from La Vendee. The first,
whom you must have heard of as 'Le Grand Jacques,' is the Comte de
Fontain; the other is La Billardiere, whom I mentioned to you just
now."
"Have you forgotten Quiberon, where La Billardiere played so equivocal
a part?" she said, struck by a sudden recollection.
"La Billardiere took a great deal upon himself. Serving princes is far
from lying on a bed of roses.
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