heard the whole story of La Boulaye's rebellion against the power
of Bellecour and the causes that had led to it.

"We will mend all this, I promise you, Duhamel," he was repeating.
"But not until we have united to shield the weak from oppression,
to restrain the arrogant and to secure to each the possession of
what belongs to him; not until all men are free and started upon
equal terms in the race of life; not until we shall have set up
rules of justice and of peace, to which all - rich and poor, noble
and simple alike - shall be obliged to conform. Thus only can we
repair the evil done by the caprice of fortune, which causes the
one to be born into silk and the other into fustian. We must
subject the weak and the mighty alike to mutual duties, collecting
our forces into the supreme power to govern us all impartially by
the same laws, to protect alike all members of the community, to
repel our common foes and preserve us in never-ending concord. How
many crimes, murders, wars, miseries, horrors shall thus be spared
us, Duhamel? And it will come; it will come soon, never fear."

Caron stirred on the couch where Duhamel was tending him, and raised
his head to glance at the man who was voicing the doctrines that for
years had dwelt in his heart.

"Dear Jean Jacques," he murmured.

The stranger turned sharply and stepped to the young man's side.

"You have read the master?" he inquired, with a sudden, new-born
interest in the secretary.