Put her to death,that is the only way of ending our misfortunes!"The truth is that the storm of thunder and lightning prevailed throughout the neighbourhood.It is a common thing in southern climes.The storm which broke out at Notre Dame destroyed the belfry;the church of Roquefort was demolished by a bolt of lightning,the spire of Saint Pierre was ruined.The storm was followed by a tempest of hail and rain.Agen was engulfed by the waters;her bridge was destroyed,[8]and many of the neighbouring vineyards were devastated.And all this ruin was laid at the door of poor Franconnette!
The neighbours--her worst enemies--determined to burn the daughter of the Huguenot out of her cottage.The grandmother first heard the cries of the villagers:"Fire them,let them both burn together."Franconnette rushed to the door and pleaded for mercy."Go back,"cried the crowd,"you must both roast together."They set fire to the rick outside and then proceeded to fire the thatch of the cottage."Hold,hold!"cried a stern voice,and Pascal rushed in amongst them."Cowards!would you murder two defenceless women?Tigers that you are,would you fire and burn them in their dwelling?"Marcel too appeared;he had not yet given up the hope of winning Franconnette's love.He now joined Pascal in defending her and the old dame,and being a soldier of Montluc,he was a powerful man in the neighbourhood.The girl was again asked to choose between the two.At last,after refusing any marriage under present circumstances,she clung to Pascal."I would have died alone,"she said,"but since you will have it so,I resist no longer.It is our fate;we will die together."Pascal was willing to die with her,and turning to Marcel he said:"I have been more fortunate than you,but you are a brave man and you will forgive me.I have no friend,but will you act as a squire and see me to my grave?"After struggling with his feelings,Marcel at last said:"Since it is her wish,I will be your friend."A fortnight later,the marriage between the unhappy lovers took place.Every one foreboded disaster.The wedding procession went down the green hill towards the church of Notre Dame.There was no singing,no dancing,no merriment,as was usual on such occasions.The rustics shuddered at heart over the doom of Pascal.The soldier Marcel marched at the head of the wedding-party.At the church an old woman appeared,Pascal's mother.She flung her arms about him and adjured him to fly from his false bride,for his marriage would doom him to death.
She even fell at the feet of her son and said that he should pass over her body rather than be married.Pascal turned to Marcel and said:"Love overpowers me!If I die,will you take care of my mother?"Then the gallant soldier dispelled the gloom which had overshadowed the union of the loving pair."I can do no more,"he said;"your mother has conquered me.Franconnette is good,and pure,and true.I loved the maid,Pascal,and would have shed my blood for her,but she loved you instead of me.
