imprisonment. The keepers of the prison were unfeeling men; and instead of
slowing any favour to their prisoners, who ought to have received their
admiration, subjected them to unnecessary severity. They were subjected to
strict examination, after a long confinement, and the sentence of their
judges was in favour of their liberation, on paying a large amount to
government. By the aid of some generous friends, they were furnished with
the requisite sums, and discharged from the prison. But Lafayette was still
detained in prison, and in the same suffering and shameful condition as
before mentioned. It was several months before his irons and chains were
removed; which was effected through the very benevolent individuals, who
had secretly favoured his recent attempt to escape; but who, happily both
for him and themselves, were not suspected of any agency in the plot: these
were an opulent Jewish merchant, and the chief surgeon to the prisoners.
They prevailed also with the civil authority to grant permission to the
Marquis to walk an hour each day, in front of the prison, though in custody
of a strong guard of soldiers, and no one was allowed to speak to him.

Unutterably painful and distressing must have been the situation of Madame
Lafayette ever after the fatal day, when her beloved and affectionate
husband felt it his duty to depart from France, and leave her and their
three children unprotected, and subject to the insults and severities of an
enraged and lawless mob. She and her two daughters, then about fifteen and
twelve, were cast into prison in Paris. The family estates were
confiscated, and most of his particular friends fell by the stroke of the
guillotine. In this agonizing condition, she maintained the most wonderful
fortitude and patience; without uncommon firmness and sincere trust in
providence, she must have sunk under such deep and complicated distress.
While she was in prison, she was often found in a retired spot, engaged in
holy and humble supplication to heaven. When she was released from the
prison, after about twenty months of degrading confinement, her