But before they could carry out their design, those sons of dogs, my tenants, incited by the choice examples set them by other tenantry, made a descent on my Chateau one night, and did themselves the pleasure of burning it to the ground.

By a miracle I escaped with my life and lay hidden for three weeks in the house of an old peasant who had remained faithful.

In that time I let my beard grow, and trained my hair into a patriotic unkemptness.

Then, in filthy garments, like any true Republican, I set out to cross the frontier.

As I approached it, I was filled with fears that I might not win across, and then, in the moment of my doubtings, I came upon that most opportune of couriers.