Page:The Rebellion in the Cevennes (Volume 1).djvu/195

Rh Your lacerated heart will resume its tranquility and repose after these commotions, and then will your understanding and free will abandon your fearful purpose."

"Never! my father," exclaimed the youth with sudden vehemence, "this was my temptation in the wilderness, which the All Merciful shortened to a few hours, and then opened his paternal arms to me again. It might have lasted for weeks and months, had he not been willing to shew compassion to my weakness. You believe me not, you doubt, but what will you say if I give you the most undeniable proofs, that this my enlightening is no false, or artificial one, if you will even be compelled to own to me, that I not only know myself by this, but also all that is unconnected with me."

"What do you mean by that?" demanded the old man bewildered, "I do not understand you, my son."

"When I resumed my human feelings and had refreshed myself, I wandered