, nor even listened to at times. These counsels had been founded
on the assumption that certain views and intentions of a particular
kind were maintained by the royalists,--secretly maintained, but still
occasionally shadowed forth in such a way as to be intelligible to all
in the secrets of the party. To be plain, the suspected plan was neither
more nor less than a union of the royalist with the republican faction
to overthrow the Bonapartists. This idea seemed so chimerical to
Bonaparte that to broach it was at once to lose character with him for
acuteness or political foresight. Not so to him of whom Sanson spoke,
and whom I at once pronounced to be Fouche.

"Then you are mistaken," said he; "but to any other guess I will make no
reply, nor, if you press me on this subject, will I consent to continue
the negotiation."

I yielded to his terms; and after a brief interval came an order for
me to hold myself in readiness on a particular evening, when a carriage
would be sent to fetch me to the house of the minister. At eight, the
hour indicated, I was ready; and scarcely had the clock struck when the
carriage rolled into the courtyard.

I have been led, as it were by accident, into the mention of this little
incident, which had no bearing nor influence on my future; but now that
I have touched upon it, I will finish it as briefly as I can.

I was received in a small office-like chamber by a man somewhat past
middle life, but whose appearance gave him the look of even age. He was
short, broad-shouldered, and slightly stooped; the figure altogether
vulgar, but the bead massive and lofty, and the face the strangest
mixture of dignity and cunning--a blending of the high-bred gentleman
with the crafty pettifogger--I ever beheld. He received me courteously,
and at once opened the business for which we met. After some compliments
on the vigor of my articles in the "Presse," he proceeded to ask what my
peculiar opportunities might be for knowing the secret intentions of the
two great parties who opposed the government.

My replies were guarded and reserved; seeing which, he at once said,--

"This information is to be recompensed."

I bowed coldly, and only replied that, if he would put distinct
questions to me, I should endeavor to answer them.

After some little fencing on both sides, he asked me for the writer of
the leading articles in the "Drapeau"--his name and position in life.

For reasons that may be guessed, I