Page:Costello - A pilgrimage to Auvergne from Picardy to Velay - A 30154 1.pdf/30

16 is no want of the usual frightful oubliettes, which we had become familiar with in our former rambles amongst old chateaux ; but with shuddering horror we declined visiting the damp dark towers in which they are situated. In roaming above, amidst the ruins, a square hole was pointed out to us, which tradition says was used as a means of conveying to the captive Louis the provisions allotted him ; but this would have been throwing off the mask indeed, and probably the legend refers to an earlier prisoner, of which there were many, who doubtless groaned in the same miserable retreat, victims of tyranny, perhaps tyrants themselves.

Although for seven years Charles the Simple languished here, and is said to have died of starvation, his detainer Heribert did not desire his death, as he kept him as a means of controling the usurper of his rights; and there is little reason to imagine that he treated him with all the rigour which was exercised towards an enemy, however sad the sojourn must have been. Certain however it is, that the angular hole above communicates with the cell below, for what purpose used it is now difficult to say.