She was overwhelmed with her misfortunes, but seemed cheered by Father de la Cour's words, and while with us, drank in the lessons of eternal life. We had a sad farewell, and hope to meet them at the great day. Frêron wept sadly at their departure, and so did all. To-day I see by the Moniteur they went to the axe in red shirts, as parricides, because one of their number (Regnault), was accused of the attempt on Robespierre.

Thus the farewells go on, and soon ours must be uttered; Father de la Cour longs to depart, and to be with Christ. None of us care to stay for anything but duty; yet when all are gone, who will keep up worship in the Luxembourg? But I will leave that with God, who can take care of his own cause; to Him be glory for ever and ever, amen.

July 10. We are surprised at our still remaining here. God surely has some good purpose in this delay. Meanwhile a fournée of workwomen was sent down a few days ago, numbering over twenty, many of whom were taken from our apartment. We had two girls of thirteen among them, but they were acquitted, on account of their years.

Thus we remain at the Master's work, though Father de la Cour grows visibly weaker and more spiritual. His mind is truly filled with God, and with heavenly love, and he seems so ripe for glory that I wonder that he stays so long in a world of sin.

July 20. The intense heat tries us severely and the Father de la Cour suffers extremely, though with much

patience. Trine watches him with intense affection, and says that she hopes that he will be able to witness for God to the end, which she thinks is near. It is wonderful how strong a hold he has upon my heart. Frêron calls him "grandpapa," and often the two walk hand in hand up and down the hall. Should my boy live to manhood he will never forget the good old man of the Luxembourg.

We now bide our time, for Larue Contant says we cannot remain a week longer, as the room is to be used for another class of prisoners. A week, and I may be in eternity. O eternity! how vast and how boundless, how fixed and unalterable! I have clear views of eternity, and thank God that through his grace I can enter without fear.

Father de la Cour has been often repeating of late, "O death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory?" and we all respond, "Amen." Several have professed a change of heart, and in view of our approaching departure all are sobered down to the deepest solemnity. We speak of parting here to meet on the "other side of the river."

Farewell letter to my Ardine.

"Luxembourg, July 26, 1794. "Dearest :-When you receive these lines your Zoe will be no more. We have received assurances that to-morrow we shall be sent to the Tribunal, and thence of course to death. I know not that this will reach you, but my messenger has promised to leave it at the appointed place. Frêron will accompany me to the Conciergerie, and will be left with the keeper.

I can't part with him until the latest moment, though I have given him up in faith to him who is the father of the father

less.

"I go cheerfully forward; weep not for me; my soul is full of glory. I thank God for you and for the love we bore each other. Earth's scenes have shown much happiness, but those of heaven will be infinitely better. Remember, a grain of wheat is not quickened except it die.

"The scaffold has lost all its horror, and I thank God that it is a painless death. Let this comfort you, and above all be cheered by the thought that your Zoe triumphed over the last enemy through Jesus Christ. Frêron is the Lord's. I believe the work of this summer has made him, through grace, a Christian. I expect to meet him and my Ardine in glory; till then, farewell!

"From your

"ZOE."

CHAPTER XLV.

ROBESPIERRE'S PENTECOST.

Robespierre now felt the pressure of a relentless necessity. The appetite for blood had been easy to start, but to appease it was a matter of difficulty. Blood now flowed daily, and it seemed that it must continue to flow; the blood of leaders, as well as that of the masses, and hence every Montagnard might look upon himself as more or less imperiled by the times.

Robespierre's position however might have been considered as beyond the reach of danger. The Girondins were crushed, and the Mountain had been purified of doubtful members. The moderés, or half-way men, had been removed, and Robespierre was delivered from the formidable rivalry of Hébert, Cloots, Camille Desmoulins, Chaumette, and Danton. His enemies were silenced by the guillotine, and it was evident that all that was now needed was rest. The state demanded rest, so did the Convention, and so did he, the combined statesman, politician, and dictator.

But alas, rest could not be found. The ocean after a storm continues long in turbulence, and the state after so profound an upheaval could not easily abate

its violence. Oh when shall that calm so greatly longed for be attained? "Not yet! not yet!" was the reply which seemed to be whispered by destiny. The storm appears to have spent its force, but the waves of popular commotion which boil around, seem to be hardly less dangerous. The ship must be lightened or it will perish even amid the very promise of safety.

Destiny still impels Robespierre to his work. "Let good men surround him with patriotic effort; let all true citizens rally in aid. We see a blissful end approaching, when a few more heads shall have gone into the sack." Thus reasoned the placid, self-controlled, and philosophic leader of the Mountain, after he had inaugurated his new deity L'Etre Suprême.

To hasten the work and economize time, the Tribunal needs efficiency. It has hitherto been encumbered with many forms which occasioned hurtful delays: these must now be removed in order that France may enjoy the full benefit of the institution.

To this end it is soon remodeled by Couthon. There are now to be four alternates, or substitutes for Fouquier, with four sets of judges and jury. With these relays there may be some hope of despatch; but then time may be lost by the absence or sluggishness of witnesses to avoid this difficulty, it is ordained "that testimony may be either moral, verbal, or written. The rule of judgment is to be the conscience of the jurors. The procedure is the simple means which good sense indicates. If there exist proofs independent of the testimony of witnesses, the latter shall not be heard, so