AT the time in which the events in our story took place, a very unpleasant law was passed, which commanded that any citizens who were suspected of being Huguenots were to give shelter and food to as many soldiers as the chief officer chose to send. Rich and poor were treated alike in this way. Gentlemen who had large castles, or châteaux as they are called, often had forty or fifty men with their officers billeted upon them.
Sometimes these men behaved very badly. They would choose the best room in the house for their own use, and often compel the family to live and sleep in the servants' apartments.
But the poor suffered more than the rich, for often in a little hut containing only two rooms, several soldiers would be sent to live, and though some were kind-hearted men who had wives, and little boys and girls of their own, most of them had been trained to be rough and cruel, and they would not mind turning the children out of their poor little beds to use them for themselves.
You will remember that Madame Clément's birthday was very near at hand, and it was the custom in the family to make a little fête on that day.
It is usual in France to celebrate the fête day of the saints after whom the children are named, but the custom was never kept up in the Clément family, or in any Huguenot household, so they kept the fête of their mother instead, that dear, dear mother whom they all loved so much.
Well, very early on the morning of this day, Jeanne, who was in the kitchen getting her bread ready to bake, was startled by a very load knocking at the outer door.
It was so early that most of the family were still asleep, except Claude, who was working in the garden, and singing as lightly as a bird.
Jeanne waited till the knocking was repeated a second time, and then she went to the garden door, and called to the boy, “Monsieur Claude, quick, come here." Claude, alarmed at the terror in the old servant's voice, dropped the seeds he was planting, and quickly ran to see what was the matter. Then he bravely went to the door, and opened it, but was somewhat frightened to see an officer and half a dozen men.
“Well, young man," said the officer, “ask your father if he can find room for me and my men, for a week or so."
Without waiting for an answer he stepped into the house. By this time M. Clément had come downstairs. When the officer saw him he made a low bow, and said in a tone of politeness, “I have the honor to announce to you, Monsieur, that Sa Majesté le Roi (the king) will require to trespass on your hospitality for a few days, and hopes you will not find it inconvenient to accommodate these men."
He then gave a paper to M. Clément, who led the way to the large stone kitchen, where he told Jeanne to prepare breakfast for all, as soon as possible.
The officer seemed surprised at the kind way in which his message was received. He was not a bad man at heart, and it was very distasteful to him to have to execute the cruel orders of his superiors, but any laxity or disobedience on his part would have been heavily punished, either by dismissal from the king's service, or in some cases imprisonment or death.
The soldiers made themselves at home. They had been marching nearly all night, and being tired and hungry, greatly enjoyed the prospect of a good breakfast. They laughed and talked to Jeanne, who quietly went on with her work without taking any notice of them. She had not recovered from the shock of their sudden appearance, but had presence of mind not to appear afraid. M. Clément stood for a short time in conversation with their officer, and then left them to go upstairs to his wife.