situation, another view of the subject presented itself to me. What was I

doing, and what was the object of my present movements? Apparently I was to

lead this troop of selfish and lawless men towards Switzerland, leaving

behind my family and my selected friend, which, subject as they were hourly

to the death that threatened to all, I might never see again. Was it not my

first duty to assist the Protector, setting an example of attachment and

duty? At a crisis, such as the one I had reached, it is very difficult to

balance nicely opposing interests, and that towards which our inclinations

lead us, obstinately assumes the appearance of selfishness, even when we

meditate a sacrifice. We are easily led at such times to make a compromise

of the question; and this was my present resource. I resolved that very

night to ride to Versailles; if I found affairs less desperate than I now

deemed them, I would return without delay to my troop; I had a vague idea

that my arrival at that town, would occasion some sensation more or less

strong, of which we might profit, for the purpose of leading forward the

vacillating multitude--at least no time was to be lost--I visited the

stables, I saddled my favourite horse, and vaulting on his back, without

giving myself time for further reflection or hesitation, quitted

Villeneuve-la-Guiard on my return to Versailles.

I was glad to escape from my rebellious troop, and to lose sight for a

time, of the strife of evil with good, where the former for ever remained

triumphant. I was stung almost to madness by my uncertainty concerning the

fate of Adrian, and grew reckless of any event, except what might lose or

preserve my unequalled friend. With an heavy heart, that sought relief in

the rapidity of my course, I rode through the night to Versailles. I

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The Last Man