of themselves; for this
is the theme she has not spoken of."

I rapidly related all that I knew of the family. I saw, however, that
his mind was wandering from the subject ere I had finished.

"And you," said he, suddenly, "when do you set out on your mission?"

"I have not decided on accepting it."

"Not decided! Can you hesitate, can you waver for a moment? Has not the
Count himself charged you with his commands?"

"And who may the Count be?" asked I.

"His Majesty the rightful king of France. You cannot be well versed in
physiognomy, or you must have recognized the royal features of his race.
He is every inch a Bourbon."

"He who sat at the table?"

"The same. The General Guerronville is reckoned handsome; but he is
vulgar and commonplace when seen beside his Majesty."

The Abbe, to whom, doubtless, the letter imparted sufficient to give him
full confidence in me, spoke frankly and openly of the Royalist party,
their hopes and fears and future prospects. He even went so far as to
say that they were losing confidence in the English Government, of whose
designs for a peace they entertained deep suspicion. Turning hastily
from this, he urged me earnestly not to decline the duty proposed to me,
and said at last,--

"That if no other argument could weigh with me, personal advantage
might, and that success in my enterprise was my fortune made forever."

While he was thus speaking, I was only dwelling upon what I could recall
of my late scene with the King of France, and wondering what he
possibly could mean by a relationship between us. The Abbe explained
the difficulty away by a careless reply as to the various small channels
into which the royal blood had been diverted, by obscure marriages and
the like.

"At all events," said he, "if his Majesty could remember the tie, it
would come badly from you to forget it. Accept this offer, therefore,
and be assured that you will serve yourself even more than his cause."

It was not very difficult to persuade me; and even where his arguments
failed, my own necessities urged me to accept the offer. I therefore
agreed, and, charging the Abbe to convey my sentiments of gratitude
for the trust reposed in me, I stated my readiness to set out at once
wherever it was deemed necessary to employ me; and with this I lay down
to rest, more at ease in heart than I had felt for months long.

CHAPTER XXXIV. SECRET SERVICE

When I come to reflect over the space I have dev