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desperate engagement； I sold her； saddle and all； for five…and…
thirty。 The pecuniary gain is not obvious； but I had bought
freedom into the bargain。
St Jean du Gard is a large place； and largely Protestant。 The
maire； a Protestant； asked me to help him in a small matter which
is itself characteristic of the country。 The young women of the
Cevennes profit by the common religion and the difference of the
language to go largely as governesses into England； and here was
one； a native of Mialet； struggling with English circulars from two
different agencies in London。 I gave what help I could； and
volunteered some advice； which struck me as being excellent。
One thing more I note。 The phylloxera has ravaged the vineyards in
this neighbourhood； and in the early morning； under some chestnuts
by the river； I found a party of men working with a cider…press。 I
could not at first make out what they were after； and asked one
fellow to explain。
'Making cider；' he said。 'OUI； C'EST COMME CA。 COMME DANS LE
NORD！'
There was a ring of sarcasm in his voice： the country was going to
the devil。
It was not until I was fairly seated by the driver； and rattling
through a rocky valley with dwarf olives； that I became aware of my
bereavement。 I had lost Modestine。 Up to that moment I had
thought I hated her； but now she was gone；
'And oh！
The difference to me！'
For twelve days we had been fast companions； we had travelled
upwards of a hundred and twenty miles； crossed several respectable
ridges； and jogged along with our six legs by many a rocky and many
a boggy by…road。 After the first day； although sometimes I was
hurt and distant in manner； I still kept my patience； and as for
her； poor soul！ she had come to regard me as a god。 She loved to
eat out of my hand。 She was patient； elegant in form； the colour
of an ideal mouse； and inimitably small。 Her faults were those of
her race and sex； her virtues were her own。 Farewell； and if for
ever …
Father Adam wept when he sold her to me； after I had sold her in my
turn； I was tempted to follow his example； and being alone with a
stage…driver and four or five agreeable young men； I did not
hesitate to yield to my emotion。
End