Scarcely were they united when they were compelled to separate.

Some weeks passed after their marriage before any thing could be finally arranged for their escape. The weather was dreadful: the rain fell in torrents; but each one, whose whole thoughts were occupied with that sole object, escape, was preparing for it.

Though my parents could seldom meet above once or twice a week, and then but for a few moments in the court, Josephine could easily convey the plans and wishes of each to the other.

My father, who had earned a trifle by teaching the young midshipmen (who were his fellow-prisoners) French and navigation, laid out part of his money in secretly purchasing such few articles as would be absolutely necessary for their long journey. The priest procured and gave him a map of France and a compass. He had been extremely anxious to procure a brace of pistols, but that he had found to be impossible.

The weather at length becoming more settled,

and every thing being prepared, on the first of March, 17-, my dear parents determined upon making the attempt to escape; dangerous indeed, but, with youth and health on their side, it lost, in their eyes, half its perils.

They had hesitated whether to go north or bend their steps towards the shores of the Mediterranean, but finally decided upon the latter

route.

Josephine had a sister who had been married some years to an honest fellow, a fisherman, who, with an aged father, had the charge of a dilapidated chateau, belonging to a republican, about five miles farther up the Loire. The master, who seldom visited it, was now at Paris, and as Josephine felt certain of the kindness of her sister and her husband, she had strongly advised my father and mother to remain concealed with them for a few days, till the first burst of pursuit should be over. She had also instructed her brother-in-law, Pierre, to be at the cemetery on the appointed night near the concealed door, in order to escort them to the chateau.

All being now, as it appeared, in a happy train, my mother, who had been obliged to undress and go to bed as usual in the small room within that of Madame, waited in breathless anxiety till she heard her and her husband retire for the night. With what impatience did she listen for the loud snore of Monsieur! length all was silent as the grave, and stealing softly out of bed she hastily dressed herself.

At

The most dangerous part was now to come. She had to open her own door, cross the bedroom of the governor, and seize the keys, which were always deposited in a basket on a chair by his bed-side. Softly she crept on her hands and knees to the side of her tyrant's bed. A lamp was burning in the room, which enabled her to see the basket. She placed her hands on it, but trembled so violently, that for a minute she could not grasp it.

At length, gaining courage, she succeeded in securing it; but just as she was creeping away Monsieur awoke, or spoke in his sleep to his wife; she however providentially did not

hear him, or she would inevitably have discovered my terrified mother. Meanwhile, the latter, more dead than alive, lay motionless on the floor, the precious basket clasped in her hands. Thus she remained a quarter of an hour, which to her appeared an age. The welcome snore of the governor, however, again roused her to exertion, and she managed to reach the door by which she was to make her exit. When she attempted to draw the bolts her hand trembled so violently, and her heart beat so quick and loud, that she fancied they must hear it.

At last the bolts were all drawn; she turned round and looked at the bed, they were both fast asleep; one moment more, thought she, and I am safe. She opened the door, and closing it after her with the utmost caution, hurried noiselessly along the vaulted passage, at the end of which she found the faithful Josephine.

Neither spoke; while my mother was dressed in silence and haste for the journey. She had

on double the usual quantity of clothing, as a convenient mode of carrying a part, and over all she wore the dress of a country girl.

In the meantime my father, who had stationed himself in the small court of the keep, became restless and impatient. He was habited as a French peasant.

The clock struck twelve, still no sound from the keep; and he began to fear that my mother had been unable to elude the vigilance of Madame, when the slightest possible noise was heard. He approached nearer to the door and perceived that it was half open, and Josephine at the same moment stretching out her hand drew my father inside.

As soon as he found himself within the keep he was hurried silently and swiftly by his conductress to a vaulted passage, where stood my mother ready for the perilous expedition.

My father hardly knew her at first, so greatly altered was her elegant figure by the thick and clumsy dress. Pale and trembling, she returned his fond embrace; and knowing how precious was every moment, they followed