rried through, dissolves for ever the
prestige of that bond that has always united us, when our comrade here
interposes and tells me that the person of his Majesty will be as safe
in the guardianship of the vile "Koturier" as in that of our best and
purest blood. I will not for an instant dispute with him as to
knowledge of the class whose merits he upholds.' A faint murmur, half
astonishment, half reproof, arose throughout the room at these words;
but Gerald never moved a muscle, but sat calm and still awaiting the
conclusion of the speech.

'I say this without offence, resumed Maurepas, who quickly saw that
he had not the sympathy of his hearers in his last sally; 'without
the slightest offence, for, in good truth, I have no acquaintanceship
outside the world of my equals. Our comrade's views are doubtless,
therefore, wider and broader; but I will also say that these used not to
be the traditions of our corps, and that not only our duty, but our very
existence, was involved in the idea that we were a noble guard.'

'Well said!' 'True!' 'Maurepas is right!' resounded through the room.

'We are, then, agreed in this,' resumed Maurepas, following up his
success with vigour; 'and there is only one among us who deems that the
blood of the plebeian is wanting to lend us chivalry and devotion.'

'Shame! shame!' cried several together, and looks of disapprobation were
now turned on Fitzgerald.

'If I have unintentionally misrepresented the Chevalier,' resumed
Maurepas, 'he is here to correct me.'

Gerald arose, his face crimson, the flush spreading over his forehead
and his temples. There was a wild energy in his glance that showed the
passion that worked within him; but though his chest heaved with high
indignation and his heart swelled, his tongue could not utter a word,
and he stood there mute and confounded.

'There, there--enough of it!' exclaimed an old officer, whose venerable
appearance imparted authority to his words. 'The Chevalier retracts, and
there is an end to it.'

'I do not. I withdraw nothing--not a syllable of what I said,' cried
Gerald wildly.

'It is far better thus, then,' cried Maurepas; 'let the corps decide
between us.'

'Decide what,' exclaimed Gerald passionately. 'Monsieur de Maurepas
would limit the courage and bravery of France to the number of those who
wear our uniform. I am disposed to believe that there are some hundreds
of thousands just as valiant and just as loyal who carry less