Dear Pascal, farewell! my torn heart weeps to resign thee, but I must say adieu for ever! I was born in an evil hour; and, to save thee from my influence, I must conceal my love.

Yet I feel this day thou art dearer than ever; I love with an affection never to be extinguished--with a devotion which is bliss or death on earth; but death is nothing to me if it could save thee!" "Why do you moan thus, Franconnette ?" cried out her grandmother; "you told me, with a cheerful air, that the Virgin had received your offering and you were content; yet I hear you sob like a soul in pain; you deceive me, something has happened to you to-day." "Oh, no; be content, grandmother; I am happy--very happy." "'Tis well, my love; for your sorrow wrings my heart; to-day again I passed some fearful hours; this dream of fire recurs so often in spite of myself; and the storms alarm me; hark! I tremble at every sound." What cries are those so near and so loud?
"Fire them! burn them! let them burn together!" A flash bursts through the old shutters; Franconnette rushes to the casement.

Great Heaven! she sees the rick on fire, and a furious mob howling outside.
"We must drive them out--the old hag and the young one; both have bewitched us!--Hence! child of perdition! hence, or burn in thy den!" Franconnette on her knees, with streaming eyes, exclaims, "Oh, pity for my poor old grandmother--do not kill her!" But the deluded populace, more confirmed than ever, by her haggard looks, that she is possessed, howl louder still--"Away with her!" and on they rush, brandishing flaming brands.
"Hold--hold!" cried a voice, and Pascal sprang amongst them.

"Cowards! would you murder two defenceless women! would you burn their dwelling, as if they had not suffered enough--tigers, that you are--already the walls are hot!" "Let the Huguenots quit the country: they are possessed by the demon.

If they stay amongst us God will send down punishment.