[Jacques Bonneval by Anne Manning]@TWC D-Link bookJacques Bonneval CHAPTER VII 2/18
"Before the factory was attacked, I had time to disperse the workmen, dispatch a hasty line to an English correspondent, and secrete certain bills of exchange; so that if we can but find our way to England we shall, indeed, have to begin life again, but with God's blessing, shall not fare badly.
And with that blessing, my son, we shall not fare badly even here." "No, indeed, father." And as I spoke I looked towards where the lamp-light (for we had no other) fell on the bending head of Madeleine, as she talked in a low voice to the children, and kept them amused. Not a glimpse of the sun's light could penetrate our refuge, and thus it always seemed night with us when, in fact, it was bright day. Doubtless this was tedious to all; but no one, even the children, so much as murmured at it, except Gabrielle, who was inexpressibly wearied, and now and then gave a long yawn, which set others yawning, and procured her a good-humored rebuke. "How long is this to last ?" said she. "Till the dragoons find us out, perhaps," said my father, gravely; which silenced her for a little while. "Our provisions will not last long," said she presently. "Then we must procure more," said my mother.
"We have enough for the present." "Yes, we have cheese and wine and flour; but what good is flour unless it is cooked ?" "Do not make mountains of molehills, Gabrielle," said Madeleine, aside; "it is such a bad example for the children." "Well, but they are not molehills," returned Gabrielle, in rather a lower tone, which, however, we could hear well enough.
"I suppose we cannot starve." "Has your endurance so soon ceased, my dear girl ?" said my father. "Think of the believers of old.
They had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment.
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