he gives himself up, thus naked to all
weathers, all society, all sorts of phrases, wit, and nonsense. It is
indeed like a fortress, where they have broken down the walls and
redoubt. There, in war, all the rabble ride in without obstruction."
"You are childish," said the Lord of Basville, "but where does the Lady
of Castelnau remain, you must know that she has disappeared. In all
these circumstances we see, say what you will, a concerted plot."

"Ah poor Christine!" sighed Vila plaintively; "I now know for the first
time, how much I have loved the noble girl. She is no longer indeed in
her house, but the Lord Marshal will best be able to give intelligence
of her retreat."

"I?" demanded the latter.

"All the world says, at least," continued the doctor, "that you have
caused her to be incarcerated, and that is not entirely without
probability, as the imprudent girl, some time ago, wholly lost sight of
the esteem she owes you."

"It were derogatory to my dignity," said the Marshal, "to revenge
inpertinences by means of my office.

"Where one cannot inspire love," said the doctor, "which one may
reasonably expect, then terror and the due punishment of the object
must suffice." "I give you my word of honour, I know nothing of the
little fool!" said the Marshal blushing.

"It is very possible," answered Vila, "that you do not know exactly in
which dungeon she languishes, since within the last few years we have
considerably increased these establishments."

"Sir!" exclaimed the Marshal,--"I think, my Lord Intendant, we may
dismiss this dotard, for it is in vain to hope to hear a word of sense
from him. You may thank the Lord Marquis and his zealous intercession,
or rather his caprice, not to suffer himself to be cured by any one
else, that your insolence, which affects madness, is permitted to go
from hence unchastised. But beware that you hold no correspondence with
the rebels and suspected persons, or we shall speak again together and
then in a higher tone."

"As it may please you to order it," said the doctor, and retired with a
low bow. His carriage stood at the door, he went however first into the
stables of the court to seek an old servant, whom he intended to take
to St. Hypolite with him, the latter advanced groaning, limping and
with head and arm bound up. "Coachman," cried Vila to his driver, "make
room on the box for this old servant of mine."

In the mean while Colonel Julien came down the street; "Wha