stabbed by Danton's ruffians at the Hotel de Ville; Gaston fought
and died with the Swiss Guard, whose hacked and severed limbs were
broiled and eaten in the streets by these monsters who mutilate the
land. Isidore, the youngest, defied a hundred of Robespierre's
cowards on the steps of the Assembly, and was torn to pieces by the
mob. Etienne alone is left. But for him and for the honour of my
house I too would find a place beside the King and die with him.
Etienne is with de la Rochejaquelein in Brittany. I am here at
Rouen.

"Brittany and Normandy still stand for the King. In these two
provinces begins the regeneration of France: we call it the War of
the Vendee. On that Isle of Jersey there you should almost hear the
voice of de la Rochejaquelein and the marching cries of our loyal
legions. If there be justice in God we shall conquer. But there
will be joy no more for such as you or me, nor hope, nor any peace.
We live only for those who come after. Our duty remains, all else
is dead. You did well to go, and I do well to stay.

"By all these piteous relations you shall know the importance of the
request I now set forth.

"My cousin by marriage of the House of Vaufontaine has lost all his
sons. With the death of the Prince of Vaufontaine, there is in
France no direct heir to the house, nor can it, by the law, revert
to my house or my heirs. Now of late the Prince hath urged me to
write to you--for he is here in seclusion with me--and to unfold to
you what has hitherto been secret. Eleven years ago the only nephew
of the Prince, after some naughty escapades, fled from the Court
with Rullecour the adventurer, who invaded the Isle of Jersey. From