But where was the sacrificial lamb to be found? Schmoûlé alone, the old _schamess_, had thought of it for us all, three months before; he had nourished a male goat of that year in his cellar, and that was the goat that was killed. Every Jewish family had a portion of it, small indeed, but the law of the Lord was fulfilled. We invited on that day, according to the law, one of the poorest of our brethren, Kalmes. We went together to the synagogue; the prayers were recited, and then we returned to partake of the feast at our table. Everything was ready and according to the proper order, notwithstanding the great destitution; the white cloth, the goblet of vinegar, the hard egg, the horseradish, the unleavened bread, and the flesh of the goat. The lamp with seven burners shone above it; but we had not much bread. Having taken my seat in the midst of my family, Sâfel took the jug and poured water upon my hands; then we all bent forward, each took a piece of bread, saying with heavy hearts: "This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in Egypt. Whosoever is hungry, let him come and eat with us. Whosoever is poor, let him come and make the Passover!" We sat down again, and Sâfel said to me: "What mean ye by this service, my father?" And I answered: "We were slaves in Egypt, my child, and the Lord brought us forth with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm!" These words inspired us with courage; we hoped that God would deliver us as He had delivered our fathers, and that the Emperor would be His right arm; but we were mistaken, the Lord wanted nothing more of that man! XX PEACE The next morning, at daybreak, between six and seven o'clock, when we were all asleep, the report of a cannon made our windows rattle. The enemy usually fired only at night. I listened; a second report followed after a few seconds, then another, then others, one by one. I rose, opened a window, and looked out. The sun was rising behind the arsenal. Not a soul was in the street; but, as one report came after another, doors and windows were opened; men in their shirts leaned out, listening. No shells hissed through the air; the enemy fired blank cartridges. As I listened, a great murmur came from the distance, outside of the city. First it came from the Mittelbronn hill, then it reached the Bichelberg, Quatre-Vents, the upper and lower Barracks. Sorlé had just risen also; I finished dressing, and said to her: "Something extraordinary is going on--God grant that it may be for good!" And I went down in great perturbation. It was not a quarter of an hour since the first report, and the whole city was out. Some ran to the ramparts, others were in groups, shouting and disputing at the corners of the streets. Astonishment, fear, and anger were depicted upon every face. A large number of soldiers were mingled with the citizens, and all went up together in groups to the right and left of the French gate.