With these last words, he lifted his ponderous sword towards heaven, and then struck it so forcibly against the rocky ground, that it clattered loudly, Ravanel exclaimed as if possessed: "An Elias! an Elias!" and threw himself upon the breast of the ferocious man; the rest were silent, and Roland again came forward with a calm countenance, and as if embarrassed. "What is your decision my brethren?" demanded he with a deep sigh.
"The decision is difficult," said Constant, a robust, fair young man. "Let our prophets decide." The deadly pale Duplant immediately came forward, gave a hollow sigh and fell down; on the other side appeared Salomon, a diminutive man, he folded his hands, knelt and threw himself upon the rock. Duplant cried with that peculiarly deep voice: "I tell you the Hero Catinat has only fulfilled my orders!"--scarcely however had he uttered these words, than Salomon already groaned forth; "Follow my servant Roland, for he is my chosen instrument, you know that the blood of the innocent is an abomination to me."
The circle now drew closer together, and in the greatest excitement the pale and swarthy faces were looking over one another's heads, and between the shoulders of the foremost. Every eye was glowing, and Ravanel exclaimed: "To me also was given the gift of prophecy, listen to me, brethren, for perhaps the Spirit may now come over me." "Stop!" screamed out Abraham Mazel, "I am one of the oldest here, I have a right to speak before any of you, through me I can boast that this holy war arose, but here, I think prophecy cannot avail." He had with these words taken fast hold of the little thing, Ravanel, by the shoulders, but the latter darted like lightening out of his grasp, threw himself down by the side of Duplant, who still lay in ecstasy, and cried: "this is our greatest prophet, for thou hast only two degrees, and him must we follow."
"Is not Salomon," said Roland earnestly, "as almighty as he? Here the word of the Lord contradicts itself: how shall we interpret it?"
"Not certainly," interrupted Edmond, who could no longer restrain himself, "As wild passion demands, where doubt exists, mildness and compassion are the designs of the Lord." He had not yet finished these words, when he felt the stroke of a sword between his neck and shoulders, which the wrathful Ravanel aimed at him. The youth tottered backwards and Cavalier received him in his arms. "How?" exclaimed several voices, "one brother against another?" many swords were bared, a wild shout flew over the mountains and all was confusion. "The spirit moves me: he is a traitor!" said Ravanel. "stop! peace!" cried Roland's powerful voice in the midst, "brother Duplant has just now prophesied that he means us fairly, and that he is inspired with the faith!"
Ravanel turned surlily away and spoke to Duplant, who had in the mean while awakened.
A tall, slight man, whose clear brown eyes sparkled brightly, had in the interim been busied with Edmond: he had quickly torn off his clothes, examined and bound up the wound, which did not appear to be dangerous, and had supported him nearly fainting from loss of blood, between his knees. Cavalier with his kindly, childlike eyes was bending over him, and the youth fancied that he was again in his father's house, and that the strange guest was come to seek a reconciliation with him. "You are my angel," said he in a feeble voice, "you are indeed Gabriel, as my sister there has just said: take then also Christine as well as my father under your protection, pious boy, we shall all see one another cheerfully and happily again, but shine less brightly." Then he lost all consciousness.
"He is dying! brother Clary!" exclaimed Cavalier. "No," replied he, who had bound up his wound, "he will soon revive again; yet Ravanel does him injustice, for I know by my spirit that this youth is religious, and will follow our cause with zeal; but the wrathful fire of these fierce heroes will ruin us all."
Roland in the meanwhile was going through the assembled groups with commanding grace, seeking to appease these excited minds. All were standing in order, as his glance had commanded; Ravanel alone, conscious of guilt had retired. Cavalier now stepped in among them, and in his own amiable manner, said, "Brethren, the tie that binds the whole world, the source of all miracles, the strength of the weak, the immediate presence of our most holy father, is love, love alone. I am apprehensive, that we, the oppressed, whose unity is so necessary, may in this manner be divided, should we forget that we are brethren? Does not something more exalted than an oath bind us to a holy work? Ravanel has without doubt grossly sinned against our new brother, but the pious youth will forgive the enthusiast and Roland and Catinat as brethren must also shake hands. Forgive the impetuous man, brother Roland, and pardon him ye remaining friends, who censure his conduct; on his side, he will promise you to regulate his mind, to restrain himself, and, except in cases of the greatest emergency, to refrain from giving way to the impulse of his feelings. When you are once more united, I have something to report to you that is well worth consideration."
Catinat went slowly up to Roland; the latter wiped a tear from his eye, extended his arms, embraced him and cried: "Welcome to me my brother! thou wouldst dwell entirely in my soul, if thou couldst mix a few drops of the mind's tranquility with thy burning zeal." Catinat promised to restrain himself and peace was again restored.