CHAPTER II.
Meanwhile the winter had passed away, and, according to all accounts that had arrived, the state of public affairs was worse than ever. The power of the French conqueror was always increasing. It happened even, that several troops of his cavalry appeared near the Baron’s domains, and there seemed no doubt that they would, ere long, ride up to his peaceful mansion. People began to speak of conscriptions—even of a levé en masse, that was to spare neither rank, age, nor condition; and, it was quite certain, that a young man like the Baron would not be allowed to remain in repose, without being proscribed as an enemy by the present unhappy government—nay, from the sentiments that he had before expressed, he ran a risk of being violently arrested. It was observed, also, by those around him, that he received many letters, and was often much disquiet-
