Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/401

 charity and perfect performance of duty towards God and mankind.

Happily the army arrived in time to prevent either No. 21 or No. 22 from answering to the fatal call upon which Father Guerrin had insisted with such generous self-sacrifice.

During the incarceration of the hostages, every effort was made by their friends to alleviate their sufferings. The following account is given by M. Rousse, staff-man of the order of advocates, and the same who attempted to obtain the liberation of Chaudey, of the steps taken by him in favor of the imprisoned priests:

"I directed myself, at hazard, towards the dependencies of the Court of Assizes by the entrance of the advocates, while a guard on duty allowed me to pass without opposition. Not an usher, not a servant, not a sound; an abandoned house. I opened discreetly two doors; no one. In passing before the chamber of council I mechanically turned the handle and pushed open the door. To my great surprise I found myself in the presence of seven or eight individuals sitting, without any order, round the room, and discussing. One alone was standing before the table; he was a small man, about thirty years of age, dark, wearing a full beard, with a very energetic air. His button-hole was ornamented with a large red ribbon, fringed with gold. I was about to withdraw when this individual raised his head and called to me in a most brutal tone:

"'What do you want?'

"At this unusual reception, instead of leaving, I closed the door, and made a step in advance, saying—

"'I was told that I should find here the Procurator of the Commune.'

"'Ah! and so on vient comme ça vous causer?'