this to you, my poor boy. I have just been
upstairs, to take the caps from his pistols."

"What, father!" cried Agricola; "you fear--"

"In the state of exasperation in which I saw him yesterday, there is
everything to fear."

"What then happened?"

"Since some time, he has often long secret interviews with a gentleman,
who looks like an old soldier and a worthy man. I have remarked that
the gloom and agitation of the marshal are always redoubled after one of
these visits. Two or three times, I have spoken to him about it; but I
saw by his look, that I displeased him, and therefore I desisted.

"Well! yesterday, this gentleman came in the evening. He remained here
until eleven o'clock, and his wife came to fetch him, and waited for him
in a coach. After his departure, I went up to see if the marshal wanted
anything. He was very pale, but calm; he thanked me, and I came down
again. You know that my room is just under his. I could hear the marshal
walking about as if much agitated, and soon after he seemed to be
knocking down the furniture. In alarm, I once more went upstairs. He
asked me, with an irritated air, what I wanted, and ordered me to leave
the room. Seeing him in that way, I remained; he grew more angry, still
I remained; perceiving a chair and table thrown down, I pointed to them
with so sad an air that he understood me. You know that he has the best
heart in the world, so, taking me by the hand, he said to me: 'Forgive
me for causing you this uneasiness, my good Dagobert; but just now, I
lost my senses, and gave way to a burst of absurd fury; I think I should
have thrown myself out of the window, had it been open. I only hope,
that my poor dear girls have not heard me,' added he, as he went on
tip-toe to open the door which communicates with his daughters' bedroom.
When he had listened anxiously for a moment, he returned to me, and
said: 'Luckily, they are asleep.'--Then I asked him what was the cause
of his agitation, and if, in spite of my precautions, he had received
any more anonymous letters. 'No,' replied he, with a gloomy air; 'but
leave me, my friend. I am now better. It has done me good to see you.
Good--night, old comrade! go downstairs to bed.'--I took care not to
contradict him; but, pretending to go down, I came up again, and seated
myself on the top stair, listening. No doubt, to calm himself entirely,
the marshal went to embrace his children, for I heard him open and shut
their door. Then