ffection, I stopped, when
suddenly her face became deeply flushed, and a tear started to her eye.

"Alas, she loves him!" said I to my heart, and a sickness like death
passed over me. "Leave me, leave me quickly!" cried she. "I see persons
watching us from the terrace." And with that she moved hastily on
towards the chateau, and I turned into one of the narrow walks that led
into the wood.

Two trains of thought struggled for mastery in my mind: how had I become
suspected? how should I wipe out the stain upon my honor?

There was not an incident of my life since my landing in France I did
not call to mind; and yet, save in the unhappy meeting with De Beauvais,
I could not see the slightest probability that even malevolence could
attach anything to my reputation. "From d'Ervan, it is true, I heard
more than once opinions that startled me; less, however, by anything
direct in their meaning, than that they were totally new and strange.
And yet the abbe, I had every reason to believe, was a friend of the
present Government; at least it was evident he was on terms of close
intimacy with Monsieur Savary.

"De Beauvais must clear up some of these doubts for me," thought I; "he
must inform me more particularly as to those to whom he introduced me. I
shall endeavor to learn, too, something of their schemes, and thus guard
myself against the mere chance of suspicion; for unquestionably he
is not in ignorance of the movement, whatever it be." And with such
intentions I hurried onwards, eager to reach my quarters.

As I entered my room, a low, heavy sob broke on my ear; I started back
with surprise. It was De Beauvais, who sat, his head buried in his
hands, leaning on the table.

"Ha!" said he, springing up, and passing his hand hurriedly across his
eyes, "so soon back! I scarcely expected you."

"It is past ten o'clock,--a full hour later than my usual return."

"Indeed!" rejoined he, with an air of impertinent surprise. "So
then your pickets have been arresting and detaining some poor devils
gathering fagots or acorns? or have you unfathomed the depth of this
terrible plot your Prefet de Police has become insane about?"

"Neither," said I, affecting a careless tone. "The Government of the
Consul is sufficiently strong to make men's minds easy on that score.
Whatever intrigues are at work, they are as little likely to escape his
keen eye as their perpetrators are, when taken, the fire of a grenadier
company."

"_Ma foi