ith truth, that I had no recollection of the matter, nor
had anything to guide me to its memory.

"I'm quite positive that I'm right, however," said he, "and you must
allow me to acquit myself of the obligation. Who is your banker at
Paris?"

I had to say that so many years had passed over since I was there, I
really had not thought of selecting one.

"But you are going on thither?" asked he.

"Yes, in a day or two; that is, as soon as I have arranged a difficulty
about my passport."

"If that's the only thing that detains you," said he, "pray accept of
mine. In travelling with my friend Mr. Fox, I need none."

I turned at the sound of the name, and at once recognized, by the
resemblance to the prints, the bluff and manly features of the great
leader of the Opposition.

"This is our famous whist-player, Fox, Mr. Carew," said Canthorpe,
presenting me; and the other rose and received me most courteously,
adding some little compliments on my reputed skill at the game.

While we were yet talking, their breakfast made its appearance, and I
was invited to partake of the meal,--a politeness which I accepted of
readily, while I congratulated myself by thinking that up to this time
at least O'Kelly had not divulged the secret of my former station.

The conversation turned principally on France and its relations with
England; and I was surprised to find the great parliamentary leader so
little acquainted with either the character of the people or of those
who ruled them. He seemed willing to accept all the present civil
overtures as guarantees of lasting and cordial friendship, and to regard
as antiquated and unworthy prejudices those expressions of distrust
to which, in my more intimate knowledge of France, I occasionally gave
utterance.

"Mr. Carew's whist experiences, I perceive'," said he, "are not his
guides in politics. He will not trust his partner."

"There is this difference," said I, "that in whist you sit opposite to
your ally: in politics, as in war, your vis-a-vis is your enemy."

"For my part," said he, good-humoredly, "I think, having fought against
each other--bravely fought, as France and England have--is one of the
very best elements towards a lasting peace. Each must by this time have
attained to a proper estimate of the other; and from that source alone
a degree of respect springs up, fit to become the foundation of true
friendship."

"Your theory excludes all notion of a rivalry, sir."

"Riv