'But why not?' asked Gabrielle with equal simplicity.
Nicholas looked at her, with his great blue eyes wide open, and nodded.
'There!' said he, pointing to one of the flowers in a garden-bed before them, 'that plant grows wild in my country.'
'Is your country very quiet; or have you such troubles as we have here?'
'Oh no! Switzerland is perfectly peaceful; ever since the great Werner Stauffacher, Erni of Melchthal, and Walter Fürst, formed their league against the tyrants who held the people in chains, we have been free, and happy, and tranquil.'
'Then you had great troubles once?'
'Yes, there was the terrible struggle for freedom.'
'Perhaps the troubles here are part of our struggle.'
'No doubt; and then, when the bonds are burst, and despotism is at an end, you will have peace.'
'Oh, Monsieur Nicholas! how I wish that time had come!'