red, and he now sat
calmly watching the effect produced upon the young soldier as he read
it.

'Am I to answer for myself, 'Monseigneur,' said he modestly.

'It is exactly what I intended,' was the calm reply.

'I can pledge for my fidelity and devotion, sir, but not for any skill
or ability to execute your orders.'

'They will require little beyond speed and exactitude. You know Paris
well?'

'Perfectly, sir.'

'At the Rue de Turenne there is a small street called l'Avenue aux
Abois--do you know it?--well, the second or third house, I am not sure
which, is inhabited by a gentleman called the Count Mirabeau.'

'He who spoke so lately at the Assembly?'

'The same. You will see him, and induce him to repair with you to St.
Cloud. Haste is everything. If your mission speed well, you can be at
St. Cloud by noon to-morrow. It is possible that the Count may distrust
your authority to make this appointment, for I dare not give you
anything in writing; you will then show him this ring, which he will
recognise as mine. Spare no entreaties to accomplish the object, nor, so
far as you are able, permit anything to thwart it. Let nothing that you
see or hear divert you from your purpose. Pay no attention to the events
at Paris, whatever they be. You have one object--only one--that Count
Mirabeau reach the Chateau de St. Cloud by the earliest moment possible,
and in secrecy. Remember that, sir--in secrecy.'

'I cannot wear my uniform,' began Gerald.

'Of course not, nor suffer any trace of powder to remain in your hair.
I will send you clothes which will disguise you perfectly; and, if
questioned, you can call yourself a peasant on the estate of the
Mirabeaus, come up from Provence to see the Count. You must stain your
hands, and be particular about every detail of your behaviour. There is
but one thing more,' said he, after a moment's reflection; 'if Monsieur
de Mirabeau refuse, if he even seek to defer the interview I seek
for--but he will not, he dare not.'

'Still, Monseigneur, let me be provided for every emergency
possible--what if he should refuse?'

'You will be armed, you will have your pistols--but no, no, under
no circumstances,' muttered he below his breath. 'There will be then
nothing for you to do, but to hasten back to me with the tidings.'
Monsieur arose as he said these words, and stood in apparently deep
thought. 'I believe,' said he at last, 'that I have not forgotten
anything. Ah, it were well to t