anding with his back to the fire, and assuming an air that he fancied
was quite that of a Talleyrand,--"something in the form of a memorial,
you understand."

"I have already done so, unsuccessfully," said I, shortly.

"Ah, wasn't aware," sighed the young gentleman, stroking his moustache.

"The Secretary of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the receipt of my
statement, and at one time held out some hope of redress."

"Ah, indeed!" echoed the other.

"The state of our relations with Spain, however," added I, "not
requiring a grievance just then, my case was naturally shelved."

He started, bit his lip, and evinced unmistakable signs of being ill at
ease. "In fact," resumed I, growing wanner as I proceeded, "no further
notice was taken of me than what barely sufficed to take my case out
of the hands of Opposition members. I was assumed to be an impostor,
because the moment was not favorable to believe me honest. Good
diplomacy, perhaps, but rather lax morality. Now, sir, I have lost _my_
cause,--that is quite evident; let us see if _you_ have gained _yours_.
The press is the great vindicator of individual wrongs, and I 'll make
its columns the arena in which this struggle shall be decided."

"Be good enough to wait one instant,--take a seat, Count," observed the
young gentleman, in his very politest of tones, while he hastily retired
into the inner room once more. This time the conversation was so low
that not a whisper reached me. After a few seconds he re-entered.

"Your case will be inquired into, Count, and representation made to the
Spanish minister at this court. May I ask where you are staying here?"

"I have not yet taken up my residence at Paris." "Your passport is
of course with the police?" I bowed an assent, while a sudden thought
flashed across me. "They mean to send me out of the country!" The
_attache_ had twice said "Good morning," ere I remarked it, and with a
hurried leave-taking I quitted the room, well aware of the folly into
which a momentary fit of passion had betrayed me.

It was palpable enough,--my passport would at once offer a ground for my
expulsion: I was an English subject, travelling on a Spanish passport. I
must, of course, expect to be disowned by the Spanish minister, and not
acknowledged by my own.

This was a sorry beginning, and I sauntered out into the streets in a
very depressed state of mind. What was I to do? My funds were at a low
ebb,--I had not above four hundred francs i