THE BIRTH OF PICCIOLA. 51 



captive ; for the most insignificant events he seeks 

 some important cause which may bring about his 

 deliverance. Perhaps this slight disturbance at 

 the surface is produced by some great work below. 

 There may be passages beneath the earth which 

 will open and admit him to the fields and moun- 

 tains. Perhaps his former friends and confederates 

 are digging a mine in order to reach him and bring 

 him back to life and liberty. 



He listens attentively and thinks he hears a 

 dull, prolonged sound from the interior of the for- 

 tress ; he raises his head, and the breeze brings him 

 the rapid clang of the tocsin. The rolling of drums 

 is repeated like a signal of war along the ramparts. 

 He trembles and brushes the sweat convulsively 

 from his forehead. Will he soon be free ? Has 

 France changed her master ? 



The dream vanishes ; reflection destroys the 

 illusion. Confederates he has no longer, and 

 friends he never possessed. He listens again. The 

 same noises strike his ear, but they bring far other 

 thoughts. This clang of the tocsin, this rolling of 

 the drum, are only the accustomed striking of a 

 clock, and the usual call which summons the sol- 

 diers of the citadel to their daily drill. 



De Charney smiled bitterly and pitied himself 



