Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/27

 rank. The third night we arrived at Aix, and were confined in what appeared to have been an old convent, in the yard of which, being permitted to range, we seized the opportunity of washing our linen, and were much pleased to learn, that we were no longer to be escorted by that inhuman offspring of tumult, who had had charge of us from Toulon. He resigned us to the care of a venerable old gentleman, whose first act of kindness was to inquire, in what manner we had been treated by his predecessor, and who seemed indignantly surprised that no distinction had been made between the officers and the men. The knowledge of this unmerited and unjust severity excited his warmest sympathy, and called forth the exercise of those nobler feelings, which seemed to flow from a natural benevolence of heart, for his kindness and attentions were unbounded; whilst his affability and cheerfulness made us almost forget we were prisoners. "Voyons soyez gais," observed this good old gentleman, "the day may come when you may think yourselves happy in having been