THE STORY OF PAULINE. 47.

“T do not know what you mean,”
repeated Pauline.

“T scarcely know either,” replied Marie,
“but my father says the king and the
nobles and the priests are determined to
' take away the charter of our rights, and
make us all little better than slaves, and
that it is time for us to resist and fight
for freedom. Perhaps it is true, but, O
Miss Pauline, war must be a terrible
thing, and I wish it had pleased God to
take me safe to heaven first, and you
too;” and the little girl burst into a
flood of tears. 2
. Pauline gave her what comfort she
could, but poor Marie was sent home far
sadder than her wont that night. Her
father returned earlier than he had done
for many weeks, but his brow was even
more clouded than usual. With an at-
tempt at mirth, he threw a handful of
silver on the table.