GABRIEL LE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 6, 11 February 1904, Page 23

GABRIEL LE

(Concluded from last week.) 111. Even had Gabnell'e wished to follow Mother Angelique's advico and consult Father Andre, she was at prosent unacquainted with his whereabouts. The year 1793 was not one when a priest could openly stay at his post and say Mass in France. Mother Angeluque and her nuns had remained-in their convent up to the present time, with a few children (many of them orphaned by the Re\olution) in then care. But Mass was said secretly, and only at intervals when the devoted priest could come to them. Hence Gabneile determined to undertake her difficult journey unknown to anyone except her maid Jeanne, who had been her bonne, and had lived with her since her childhood. Jeanne's father and mother had a little shop in an obscure bystreet in Pans, and the young girl decided to go to them, unaccompanied save by the faithful maid Disguised as a peasant, she thought she could travel unobserved and unmolested Of the discomforts of the journey, that would occupy ten days or two weeks, and must be made by diligence, she thought but little Gabneile unfolded t<» Jeanne part of her plans. She must go to Pans on important business, unknown to her aunt and secretly , would Jeanne's father take her in 7 Jeanne was sure he would. Tho times were full of trouble, but. her parents, thank God, had kept their little shop unmolested. Mademoiselle would be safe there and could stay as long as she wished. So one dark night mistress and maid, disguised like peasants, and carrying each a small bundle, took the evening diligence that left the village every three or four weeks for Paris. They were the only passengers at the start, but some leagues beyond a stout co^mtry girl with a fresh, picasant face, and later four men and a woman and child, were added to their party For the rest at the night the occupants of the coach slept more or less well , but at daybreak they stopped at an inn and in an hour were oil again ■with, fresh horses Galbiielle was disinclined for conversation, but she realised that it would be safer to talk and keep up as far as possible the role she had assumed Addressing the iosy-laced country girl, she asked her if she had far to go 'To Paris,' was the answer, and one of the men inquned, with an attempt at joviality, if she was going to see Queen ,Mane/ Antionette. ' Ah, the poor q/ieen ' ' said his companion, who did not seem to mind airing his political opinions, ' it was a bad day for her when she failed to escape fiom France, and now she is locked up in the concieigene prison ' 'What will you, brother,' said the third man, who had not yet spoken , ' the countiy has no moie neod of kings and queens, and there are but two aMernat Hostile guillotine or prison For myself, gi\e me freedom and Robespioi re ' The count iy girl's eyes flashed ' What say you, monsieur ' ' she queried, leaning forward ' You think France is prospering under those tyrants in Paris '; Better the mle of the king, with law and order, than the bloodshed and violence that now run not over our patne ' ' Little one,' said the man who had first spoken, ' talk not so loud or that pretty head of yours may yet roll on the guillotine ' It seemed to Gabneile as if the journey were, endless —day succeeded day, with an occasional night in some wayside inn She wondered if her aunt and the Viscount would make any effort to and her, and whether she would indeed ever see thorn again On tho tenth day of their lourney they were neaiing Pans, and about noon they stopped to water the horses 'and lot the passengers get something to eat Their fare en route had been meagre ; but (iabrielle's strong young body had so far resisted all hardships She was standing in the couityaid of the inn when the rosy-faced country girl, who had so plainly shown her sympathies for the unhappy Bourbons, diei\ near Gabneile w«i» struck by her handsome appliance and look of intelligence. 1 We arc ncanng Pans, and will soon have to part, Mademoiselle,' she said. The country girl flashed a keen dance at her, and Gabneile but her lip, remembering that ' mademoiselle' was 1 hardly a form of address used between two supposed peasants.

' It is a sad world, friend,' was the answer, 'meet> ings and partings, and always the duty beyond. I myself have left my home forever, and Paris is an unknown country.' The words chimed in' so well with Gabrielle's own mood that she moved nearer to her companion with kindly sympathy. ' Have you only just left your home?' she, asked. ' No, Mademoiselle,' was the answer. I am from Caen, and have been in Pans for a month until a week ago, when duty called me in your direction for a time. 1 am returning to Paris and an unknown future now.' ■ I 100 have an unknown future before me,' said Gabneile, ' and Pans this unhappy year is full of dangers , but,, like you, duty has called me there.' ' Now, then, ladies,' called the guard ; ' time passes and we must reach Paris to-night.' The two girls hurried to the coach, and no further prnate conversation could take place between them, but| about nine o'clock that night they drove into Paris and the diligence drew up at the hostelry on the banks of the Seine. The hotel-keeper came out with a rushlight} a;nd held it aloft while the passengers dismounted. 'It is not far from here to my father's shop,' said Jeanne, ' and we can walk there in half an hour.' Gabnolle was both tired and stiff as she made her way in the courtyard of the hotel while Jeanne paid I hear iaxe In{ the confusion attendant on their arrival she lound herself near the country girl and took the opportunity to say farewell. ' I trust we may meet again,' she said pleasantly, ' and that better days will yet dawn tor France,' and then, with her most engaging smile, she added, ' Won't you tell me your name before we part ? Mine is Gatynelle de St. Denis.' ' \h, Mademoiselle,' whispered the other, • you tre no more a peasant than. I am. I divmpd it this morning God knows what the future holds for France ; but if she is ever deliveied from her present bondage, think of me and remember my name as Charlotte Corday.' She was gone alter an instant's strong clasp 1 of the hand, leaving Gabrielle to wonder as she followed Jeanne down the dark, uneven street, who she could be and what her mission m Pans was.