ld also inevitably involve me; and thus did I seem hurried along by a
train of incidents without will or concurrence, each step but increasing
the darkness around me.

That Gisquet knew most of the party was clear; De Beauvais alone seemed
personally unknown to him. What, then, did he want of me? Alas! it was a
tangled web I could make nothing of: and all I could resolve on was, to
avoid in future all renewal of intimacy with De Beauvais; to observe the
greatest circumspection with regard to all new acquaintance; and since
the police thought it worth their while to set spies upon my track, to
limit any excursions, for some time at least, to the routine of my duty
and the bounds of the barrack-yard. These were wise resolutions, and
if somewhat late in coming, yet not without their comfort; above all,
because, in my heart, I felt no misgivings of affection, no lack of
loyalty, to him who was still my idol.

"Well, well," thought I, "something may come of this,--perhaps a war. If
so, happy shall I be to leave Paris and all its intrigues behind me,
and seek distinction in a more congenial sphere, and under other banners
than a police minister would afford me."

With thoughts like these I fell asleep, to dream over all the events
of the preceding day, and wake the next morning with an aching head and
confused brain,--my only clear impression being that some danger hung
over me; but from what quarter, and how or in what way it was to be met
or averted, I could not guess.

The whole day I felt a feverish dread lest De Beauvais should appear.
Something whispered me that my difficulties were to come of my
acquaintance with him; and I studiously passed my time among my brother
officers, knowing that, so long as I remained among them, he was
not likely to visit me. And when evening came, I gladly accepted an
invitation to a barrack-room supper, which, but the night before, I
should have declined without hesitation.

This compliance on my part seemed well taken by my companions; and in
their frank and cordial reception of me, I felt a degree of reproach
to myself for my having hitherto lived estranged from them. We had just
taken our places at table, when the door was flung wide open, and a
young captain of the regiment rushed in, waving a paper over his head,
as he called out,--

"Good news, mes braves, glorious news for you! Listen to this: The
English ambassador has demanded his passports, and left Paris. Expresses
are se