[The Long Night by Stanley Weyman]@TWC D-Link bookThe Long Night CHAPTER I 5/30
What wonder if, when none knew what a night might bring forth, and the fury of Antwerp was still a new tale in men's ears, the Genevese held Providence higher and His workings more near than men are prone to hold them in happier times? Whether the stranger's reverent bearing during the prayer gained the sergeant's favour, or the sword tied to his bundle and the bulging corners of squat books which stuffed out the cloak gave a new notion of his condition, it is certain that the officer eyed him more kindly when all rose from their knees.
"You can pass in now, young sir," he said nodding.
"But another time remember, if you please, the earlier here the warmer welcome!" "I will bear it in mind," the young traveller answered, smiling. "Perhaps you can tell me where I can get a night's lodging ?" "You come to study, perhaps ?" The sergeant puffed himself out as he spoke, for the fame of Geneva's college and its great professor, Theodore Beza, was a source of glory to all within the city walls. Learning, too, was a thing in high repute in that day.
The learned tongues still lived and were passports opening all countries to scholars.
The names of Erasmus and Scaliger were still in the mouths of men. "Yes," the youth answered, "and I have the name of a lodging in which I hope to place myself.
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