I sought to console Victoria by joining her in conjecturing the cause of her son's mysterious grief. The hour grew late. I was to travel all that night in order to fulfil my mission as promptly as possible. I left my foster-sister's and proceeded home in order to embrace your mother and you, my son, before starting on my journey.
CHAPTER II.
THE CATASTROPHE.
When I reached home, my son, I found your mother Ellen and her sister Sampso seated near your cradle. The moment Sampso saw me she cried:
"You arrive in time, Schanvoch, to help me convince Ellen that her fears are groundless—she is weeping—"
"What ails you, Ellen? What afflicts you?"
She dropped her head, made no answer, and continued weeping.
"She does not dare to admit to you the cause of her affliction, Schanvoch; my sister weeps because you are about to depart."
"What?" I asked Ellen in a tone of tender reproach, "you who are always so brave even when I leave for battle, are now timorous and tearful when I am only going on a peaceful journey that will not keep me away more than a few days—a journey into Gaul, where peace reigns! Ellen, your apprehensions are groundless."
"That is exactly what I have been repeating to my sister. Your journey does not expose you to any danger; and if you depart to-night it is because the matter is urgent."
"Yes, indeed! Why, it must be a positive pleasure to journey in the manner that I am about to do—on a mild summer's night, across the smiling fields of our own beautiful country that is to-day so calm and peaceful!"