"To maintain a legal attitude and wait!" replied the advocate, firmly. "Anne Dubourg, Henri Dufaur, and three others of our friends in parliament have been arrested; but who says that they will dare to convict them, or even to accuse them? My opinion is that any overt act of violence on our part would result simply in provoking reprisals on the part of those in authority. And who knows that our moderation may not be the salvation of the victims? Let us have the tranquillity of conscious strength, and the dignity which befits a righteous cause. Let us leave all the wrong-doing to our persecutors. Let us wait. When they see that we are moderate in our demands, but resolute, they will think twice before declaring war upon us,--just as I implore you, friends and brothers, to think twice before you give them the signal for reprisals." Des Avenelles ceased, and the applause was renewed. The advocate, vain of his success, desired to confirm his victory. "Let all who agree with me raise their hand," he added. Almost every hand was raised to assure Des Avenelles that he had spoken the mind of the gathering. "Let us see, then," said he: "our decision is--" "To decide nothing at all," interposed Castelnau. "To postpone until a more favorable moment any extreme measures," Des Avenelles concluded, casting an angry glance at the interrupter. The minister David suggested singing another psalm to beseech God to deliver the poor prisoners. "Come, let us be going," said La Renaudie to Gabriel; "all this annoys and angers me. These people only know how to sing. They have nothing seditious but their psalms." When they were on the street they walked along in silence, both deeply absorbed in their reflections. At the Pont Notre Dame they parted, La Renaudie returning to the Faubourg St. Germain, and Gabriel going toward the Arsenal. "Adieu, Monsieur d'Exmès," said the former. "I am sorry to have caused you to waste your time thus. But believe me, I pray, when I assure you that this is not our last word. The prince, Coligny, and some of our most reliable heads were absent this evening." "My time with you has not been wasted," replied Gabriel. "You will be convinced of that very shortly." "So much the better, so much the better," rejoined La Renaudie. "Nevertheless, doubt--" "Have no doubt at all," said Gabriel. "It was necessary for me to know if the Protestants were really beginning to lose patience. It is of more use to me than you can imagine to have learned that they are not tired out yet."