May I not assume the name I have a
right to, and accept the fate that would follow it?"

"The guillotine," added he, sarcastically. "Are you so ignorant,
child, as not to know that England and France are at war, and that your
nationality would be your condemnation? Follow my guidance or your own,"
said he, sternly, "but do not seek to weld the counsels together."

"But may I not know in what service I am enrolled?"

"Later on, when you can understand it," was the cold reply.

"I am not so ignorant," said I, taking courage, "as not to be aware of
what has happened of late years in France. I know that the king has been
executed."

"Murdered!--martyred!" broke in Gabriac.

"And monarchy abolished."

"Suspended--interrupted," added he, in the same voice. "But I will not
discuss these matters with you. When you have eaten your breakfast, take
that letter to the address in the Rue Lepelletier, see the General, and
speak with him. As you go along the streets you will not fail to meet
many of those to whom your duty will at some later period place you in
opposition. If they by look, by dress, by bearing and manner captivate
your imagination and seduce your allegiance to their ranks, tear off
your colors then, and join them, boy; the choice is open to you. My
charge is then ended; we are not, nor ever can be, aught to each other
again."

I saw that he would not be questioned by me, and, forbearing at once,
from the risk of offending him, I ate my meal in silence.

"I am ready now, sir," said I, standing up in front of him.

He wheeled me round by the arm to look at me in my new dress. He
adjusted my belt, and arranged my sword-knot more becomingly, muttering
to himself a few words of approval at my appearance, and then said
aloud,--

"Salute all whom you see in this uniform, boy, and bear yourself
haughtily as you pass the 'canaille.' Remember that between you and them
must be the struggle at last, and show that you do not blink it."

He patted me good-naturedly on the shoulder as he said this, and, with
the word "Go," half-pushed me from the room.

I soon found myself in the open air, and, having inquired my way to the
Rue Lepelletier, walked rapidly along, endeavoring, as best I might, to
disguise the astonishment I felt at so many new and wonderful objects.
As I emerged from the meaner quarter of the Battignolles, the streets
grew finer and more spacious, and the dress of the people and their
appearance gener