Read "The Garden of Swords" by Max Pemberton online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Many fled from the city in the week that followed that memorable Sunday; but old Helene remained in the Place Kleber. No word or argument would turn her from her purpose. The people looked to her for example. She would not fail them. Even the Bishop himself, who came daily to her house to counsel flight, could not persuade her.
"I have lived here for fifty years," she said; "am I to run away now because the gates are closed to the enemies of France? Is that your advice, monseigneur? Shall we leave the sick in their beds and the wounded to die in the streets? Shall we say, 'Good-bye, brave fellows; when the war is done we will come back from Geneva to thank you'? Is this our trust in the God of France? Ah, you do not think so, my good friend -- you do not wish it."