"You will announce me, then, Francois?" continued he.

"My orders are not to admit any one, Captain."

"They were never meant to include me, sir,--of that I 'm positive," said
the old man; "and if you will not announce me, I will enter without it;"
and, half dragging me by the arm, he moved forward, opened the door,
and passed into an inner room.

General Danitan, a small, dark-eyed, severe-looking man, was standing
with his back to the fire, and in the act of dictating to a secretary,
as we entered. An expression of angry impatience at our unauthorized
appearance was the only return he vouchsafed to our salute; and he
continued his dictation, as before.

"Don't interrupt me, sir," said he, hastily, as the old captain made an
effort to address him. "Don't interrupt me, sir.--'Which difficulties,'"
continued he, as he took up the thread of his dictation,--"'which
difficulties are considerably increased by the obtrusive habit of
tendering advice by persons in whose judgment I place no reliance, and
whose conduct, when they leave me, is open to the suspicion of being
prejudicial to the public service. Amongst such offenders the chief is
a retired captain of the 8th regiment of Chasseurs, called Hugues Le
Bart--'"

"Why, General, it is of me--me myself--you are speaking!" broke in the
captain.

"'An officer,'" continued the other, perfectly heedless of the
interruption, "'into whose past services I would strenuously recommend
some inquiry; since neither from the information which has reached me
with regard to his habits, nor from the characters of his intimates, am
I disposed to regard him as well affected to the Government, or in other
respects trustworthy.' How do you do, Captain? Who is our young friend
here?" continued he, with a smile and a bow towards us.

"In what way am I to understand this, General? Is it meant for a piece
of coarse pleasantry--"

"For nothing of the kind, sir," interrupted the other, sternly. "That
you have been a witness to the words of a confidential communication
is entirely attributable to yourself; and I have only to hope you will
respect the confidence of which an accident has made you a participator.
Meanwhile, I desire to be alone."

The manner in which these words were uttered was too decisive for
hesitation, and the old man bowed submissively and withdrew. As I was
about to follow him, the general called out,--

"Stay: a word with you. Are you the captain's protege, boy?"