the bed,
the table, and even the floor around him; but his attitude as I entered
betrayed the exhaustion of one who could labour no longer, and whose
worn-out faculties demanded rest. He lay flat on his back, his arms
straight down beside him, and with half-closed eyes, seemed as though
falling off to sleep.

His first aide-de-camp, Merochamp, was standing with his back to a small
turf fire, and made a sign to us to be still, and make no noise as we
came in.

'He 's sleeping,' said he; 'it 's the first time he has closed his eyes
for ten days.'

We stood for a moment uncertain, and were about to retrace our steps,
when Humbert said, in a low, weak voice--

'No! I'm not asleep, come in.'

The officer who presented me now retired, and I advanced towards the
bedside.

'This is Tiernay, general,' said Merochamp, stooping down and speaking
low; 'you wished to see him.'

'Yes, I wanted him. Ha! Tiernay, you see me a good deal altered since we
parted last; however, I shall be all right in a day or two, it's a mere
attack of ague, and will leave when the good weather comes. I wished to
ask you about your family, Tiernay; was not your father Irish?'

'No, sir; we were Irish two or three generations back, but since that we
have belonged either to Austria or to France.'

'Then where were you born?'

'In Paris, sir, I believe, but certainly in France.'

'Then I said so, Merochamp; I knew that the boy was French.'

'Still I don't think the precaution worthless,' replied Merochamp;
'Teeling and the others advise it.'

'I know they do,' said Humbert peevishly, 'and for themselves it may be
needful; but this lad's case will be injured, not bettered by it. He is
not an Irishman; he never was at any time a British subject. Have you
any certificate of birth or baptism, Tiernay?'

'None, sir; but I have my 'livret' for the school of Saumur, which sets
forth my being a Frenchman by birth.'

'Quite sufficient, boy, let me have it.'

It was a document which I always carried about with me since I landed,
to enable me any moment, if made prisoner, to prove myself an alien, and
thus escape the inculpation of fighting against the flag of my country.
Perhaps there was something of reluctance in my manner as I relinquished
it, for the general said, 'I'll take good care of it, Tiernay; you shall
not fare the worse because it is in my keeping. I may as well tell you
that some of our Irish officers have received threatening letter