Thus happily passed many years at Melcour; when the troubles attendant on the revolution came to disturb the tranquillity of their domestic enjoyment. M. de Melcour was called upon to resume a military command; and though he disapproved of many of the measures that had been pursued by the government, yet, when he saw his sovereign in distress, he would not withhold his aid. He was particularly active in endeavouring to put a stop to the devastation caused by a misguided populace; and in a fray between some peasants and soldiers, he fell a victim to his benevolent exertions in the cause of humanity. The sad news was brought to Madame de Melcour just as she was recovering from the bed of sickness; her constitution already much weakened, was unable to support the fatal shock, and she soon after closed her eyes for ever in the arms of her beloved children. At this period, Frederic was just fifteen, his sister two years younger; they were left without any protector but an aged grandmother, who had constantly resided with her daughter since the marriage of the latter with M. de Melcour. Already suffering from the infirmities of age, Madame de Joinville felt herself unable to resist the persecutions of ill-disposed persons, and in the course of a few months found it necessary to leave the chateau. It was her intention to retire with her grandchildren into England, the country where she had spent much of the early part of her life, and where she still hoped to discover some of her former friends. Accordingly, having settled her affairs as well as the distracted state of the nation would permit, and, accompanied by Frederic and Elizabeth, she proceeded to the nearest seaport. They encountered many difficulties on the road, but at length, through Frederic's activity, succeeded in securing their passage in a vessel that was on the point of sailing for England. Madame de Joinville suffered extremely from the fatigues and anxieties she had lately undergone, and on their arrival at ---- it was found necessary to remain there a few days in order to recruit her exhausted strength.