s thinking of,
"your people are terribly on the alert to-night. They refused to let
me pass, until I told them I was coming to you; and here are two worthy
fellows who won't take my word for it without your corroboration."

I then perceived that two dismounted dragoons followed him at the
distance of a few paces.

"All right, men," said I, passing my arm beneath the abba's, and turning
again towards my quarters. "Would n't they take the password, then?"
continued I, as we walked on.

"_Ma foi_, I don't know, for I haven't got it."

"How I not got it?"

"Don't look so terribly frightened, my dear boy! you 'll not be put
under arrest or any such mishap on my account. But the truth is, I 've
been away some days from home, and have not had time to write to the
minister for the order; and as I wanted to go over to St. Cloud this
evening, and as this route saves me at least a league's walking, of
course I availed myself of the privilege of our friendship both to rest
my legs and have a little chat with you. Well! and how do you get
on here now? I hope the chateau is more hospitable to you, eh? Not
so?--that is most strange. But I have brought you a few books which may
serve to while away the hours; and as a recompense, I 'll ask you for a
supper."

By this time we were at the door of my quarters, where, having ordered
up the best repast my cuisine afforded, we sat down to await its
appearance. Unlike the former evening, the abbe now seemed low and
depressed; spoke little, and then moodily, over the unsettled state
of men's minds, and the rumors that pervaded Paris of some momentous
change,--men knew not what; and thus, by a stray phrase, a chance
word, or an unfinished sentence, gave me to think that the hour was
approaching for some great political convulsion.

"But, Lieutenant, you never told me by what accident you came first
amongst us: let me hear your story. The feeling with which I ask is not
the fruit of an impertinent curiosity. I wish sincerely to know more
about one in whose fortunes I have taken a deep interest. De Beauvais
told me the little anecdote which made you first acquainted; and though
the event promised but little of future friendship, the circumstances
have turned out differently. You have not one who speaks and thinks of
you more highly than he does. I left him this morning not many
miles from this. And now that I think of it, he gave me a letter
for you,--here it is." So saying, he threw it c