Jules had been kidnapped and tampered with by the Catholics.

The little apostate had been taught to curse his parents.
The case occasioned a great deal of talk in Nismes at the time; unhappily, similar kidnappings made it soon forgotten, except by the family.
One day, when I had been hunting for him, I came suddenly on the young man who had stared so rudely at Gabrielle at Beaucaire.

I was sorry to see him in Nismes.

I did not like the look of him, with his narrow head, low forehead, and eyes too near his nose, though otherwise he was well enough.

Returning to our factory, I found him just coming out of it.
I said to my father, "Who is that ?" He said, "A troublesome fellow, I think, but he brought a message from your uncle Nicolas.