shall join you there in about ten days. You are, on
your arrival, to report yourself to the general in command, and receive
your instructions from him. A great movement towards the Rhine is
in contemplation; but, of course, everything awaits the progress of
political changes in Paris."

Thus conversing, we reached the corner of the Rue de Rohan, where the
general's quarters were.

"You'll be here then punctually at eight to-night," said he; and we
parted.

I walked on for some time without knowing which way I went, the strange
conflict of my mind so completely absorbed me,--hope and fear, pride,
shame, and sorrow, alternately swaying me with their impulses. I noticed
not the gay and splendid streets through which I passed, nor the merry
groups which poured along. At length I remembered that but a few hours
remained for me to make some purchases necessary for my journey. My new
uniform as aide-de-camp, too, was yet to be ordered; and by some
strange hazard I was exactly at the corner of the Rue de Richelieu on the
Boulevard, at the very shop of Monsieur Grillac where some months before
began the singular current of ill luck that had followed me ever since.
A half shudder of fear passed across me for a second as I thought of all
the dangers I had gone through; and the next moment I felt ashamed of
my cowardice, and pushing the glass door before me, walked in. I looked
about me for the well-known face of the proprietor, but he was nowhere
to be seen. A lean and wasted little old man, hung round with tapes and
measures, was the only person there. Saluting me with a most respectful
bow, he asked my orders.

"I thought this was Crillac's," said I, hesitatingly.

A shrug of the shoulders and a strange expression of the eyebrows was
the only reply.

"I remember he lived here some eight or ten months ago," said I
again, curious to find out the meaning of the man's ignorance of his
predecessor.

"Monsieur has been away from Paris for some time then?" was the cautious
question of the little man, as he peered curiously at me.

"Yes; I have been away," said I, after a pause.

"Monsieur knew Criliac probably when he was here?"

"I never saw him but once," said I.

"Ha!" cried he, after a long silence. "Then you probably never heard
of the _Chouan_ conspiracy to murder the Chief Consul and overthrow the
Government, nor of their trial at the Palais de Justice?"

I nodded slightly, and he went on.

"Monsieur Crillac's