A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 112: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

108 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY. You rush heedlessly in at portals which a moment's reflection would cause you to pass by.”’ The chevalier flushed. He knew in his heart that the old man had read him correcily, but he had too lit- tle self-conceit—that stumbling-block in many a good man’s path—to be offended, and he received the advice in the spirit in which it was offered. Bidding the fine old man farewell, he repaired to the Green Dragon, which he had no dificulty in finding on the left-hand side of the Pont Neuf. The city was comparatively quiet, but he saw on every side signs of the last two terrible days in the blood-stained pavements and the partially demolished houses which had belonged to those of the Huguenot persuasion. Almost every one he met wore white crosses in his cap or hat, making, as an historian of the times, in commenting upon the fact, remarked with unconscious sarcasm, “a most pretty effect.” As has been said, the handkerchief had been torn from Raoul’s arm in his fight with the vicomte, and the cross in his hat together with its clasp had also dis- appeared. In spite of his promise to Gabrielle, this was not a cause of unmixed regret to him, as the fiery young Huguenot had no desire to sail under false colors. The absence of the emblems caused many an angry glance to be cast at him, but no actual violence was offered. | Once, however, he came near being involved in an altercation, which might have cost him dear, had he not remembered the physician’s words of advice just in ~ time to check himself. As he was making his way through the Rue del’Arbre Sec, his attention was attracted to the conversation of two young men walking just behind him. Comicbhoo <S) (elo — im