1854] OXFORD LIFE 363
was imprisoned, as he had only stolen some bread when he was starving, but that, if he came back, he could do nothing for Toinette, and as her uncles were idiots, there was nobody to take care of her: if we wished to do anything for her, we had better speak to the Syndic, who lived higher up the mountain; so thither we proceeded, with Toinette and all her female friends in our train.
It was a strange walk, by starlight through the woods, and a queer companionship of rough kind-hearted people. Toinette, only seven years old, laughed and skipped over the stones, holding Charlotte's gown, and declaring she would never leave her. We had ^expected to find the magistrate living in a better house than the others, but it was like its neighbours — a little brown chalet by the side of a torrent. The Syndic was already in bed, but Madame, his wife, speedily got him up, and we held a parley with him on the wooden staircase, all the other people standing below. He said that there were no workhouses, no orphan asylums, and that though it was a bad case, the commune had no funds; school did not open till October, and even if Toinette got work there was no lodging for her at night. However, when Charlotte promised to clothe her, he was so much enchanted with the " grandeur de sa charite," that he said he would consult with the commune about Toinette. Meantime, in the morning Charlotte bought her some clothes, and settled something for her future; but before we left we saw that she must not be too much indulged, as she asked Charlotte, who h^d given her a frock, shoes, and hat, to give her also some bonbons and a parasol!ated uncle, and my also celebrated brother,' than to attend ;o the Professor himself, who was exhibiting photographs >f the scenery and geology of the moon."hioiM*<i vi'iit*fatit>n fur rauk, and Iff. Kuril KjL^iiioiit off