Page:Memoirs of a Huguenot Family.djvu/103

Rh I maintained my position outside of his door for about two hours; when, seeing neither him nor the deed, I knocked. A footman opened the door a very little way, and held it so that I could not possibly get in: he told me his master was out. I was not to be deceived in that way; I remained at my post, and saw several persons admitted. At last, two well-fed Franciscan friars came to the door, whom I followed in, unobserved, and keeping close in their rear, rather crouched down, I managed to get into the office; and there I waited in concealment until they had finished their business, and, as they retired, I rose to my full height, and stood like a spectre before Mr. Cardon,

"What devil placed you there?" said he.

I replied, "I entered under the auspices of the good fathers who are just gone."

He handed me the deed, and I gave him in gold the one-and-twentieth part of the sum he had demanded for furnishing the full number, and, much to my surprise, he returned to me five or six crowns.

"How is that? Are you satisfied?" said I.

"No," said he, with much bitterness, "nor shall I be until I see you with a halter round your neck."

"When people are hung for praying to God, I shall have reason to be afraid, and you will be able to sleep in peace."

Having given him this reply, I took the deed away with me, and presented it to the jailer, who released us from our "parole," and we were at full liberty.

I should not have dwelt upon this subject at so great length, but for the purpose of showing you the variety of difficulties we had to contend with. Every one seemed to