human
In a Christian country!
gpt
A week afterward we were on the road, chained together two and two by the neck, while all along the line through our chains ran another, joining the first couple to the last. The snow lay on the ground until we reached Avignon, six weeks later; at night we slept in barns, in stables, sometimes in the open air. Some--the old and sickly--fell down and were left by the roadside for the _communes_ to bury; more than fifty were left thus ere we reached Marseilles. There we were distributed to the galleys that were short of their complement, though not before the bishop of the province gave us the Roman blessing, saying that thereby the heretic spirit of the devil could alone be driven out of those who were Protestants. From then till now my life has been what my appearance, as you saw me naked, testifies.
human
What, asked the admiral very gently,
gpt
--though he uttered the last word with an expression of disgust as he thought of what manner of sailor this unhappy man had been--
human
and he touched his hat with his finger as he spoke.
gpt
Many Huguenots are doing so now, and some other old ones who followed Charles back to England. But --and he leaned forward across the table as he spoke earnestly--
human
Obtain the dukedom, sir! St. Georges replied, looking at him.
gpt
Nay, indeed, that is gone forever. You know what befalls the man in France who has been condemned to the galleys for life?
human
What?
gpt
He is as dead forever in the law's eyes as though he were sunk to the bottom of the sea. He can never inherit, can never dispose of aught that is his; if he is married, his wife is not considered as a married woman, but a mistress--every right has gone from him forever!
human
Is there no pardon?
gpt
Never. Unless he can by some wild chance prove a wrongful condemnation. And for me, how that? Louvois, the all-powerful minister, is my judge and executioner; and, further, when once I set foot on English ground I shall become an English soldier or sailor.
human
But the child! At least --and the sailor spoke more softly even than before--
gpt
Heaven alone knows! May it, in its supreme mercy, direct me! Yet this is what I have thought, planned to do since you, sir, have taken pity on me. England and France are now most happily, as I think it, plunged in war once more. There is much to do----
human
Ay, interposed the admiral, while his handsome face flushed and his eyes glistened, for he was smarting over his and Torrington's recent defeat.
gpt
There is. There is Beachy Head to be wiped out--oh, for our next encounter with them!
human
Thereby, continued St. Georges,
gpt
Ay, the child.
human
For that I must go back to France, disguised it may be; nay, must be! That will be easy. The language is mine--though because of my mother's memory I have perfected myself in yours--in hers--there is nothing to reveal who or what I am but one thing --and he made a gesture toward his shoulder where the hateful _fleur-de-lis_ was branded in forever--
gpt
Only?
human
Only,