They would hold little meetings in secret places to bewail their misery and to confer with one another as to which would be the best way to act.

Now and then the boldest of the gathering would rise and address his companions in this strain: "How much longer can we tolerate such a villain to rule over us?
Let us make an end of it at once, for it were better for us to perish than to suffer.

It is surely not a sin to kill such a devil in human form." It happened once, before the Easter holidays, that one of these meetings was held in the woods, where Michael had sent the serfs to make a clearance for their master.

At noon they assembled to eat their dinner and to hold a consultation.

"Why can't we leave now ?" said one.