ger."

Yet did he hesitate to leave, and seemed actually to rely on me for some
hint for his guidance. I did not dare to offer a suggestion; and while
thus we both stood uncertain, the door opened, and a huissier called
out,--

"Lieutenant-Greneral d'Auvergne,--this way, sir," said the official, as
he threw open a folding-door into a long gallery that looked into the
garden. They passed out together, and I was alone.

The agitation of the general at this unexpected summons had communicated
itself to me, but in a far different way; for I imagined that his
Majesty desired only to confer some mark of favor on the gallant old
general before parting with him. Yet did I not venture to suggest this
to him, for fear I should be mistaken.

While I revolved these doubts in my mind, the door was flung open with a
crash, and a page, in the uniform of the Court, rushed in.

"May I ask, sir," cried he, breathlessly, "can you inform me where
is the aide-de-camp of the General d'Auvergne? I forget the name,
unfortunately."

"I am the person,--Lieutenant Burke."

"The same; that is the name. Gome after me with all haste; this way."
And so saying, he rushed down a flight of stone stairs, clearing six or
seven at a spring.

"A hurried business this, Lieutenant," said the page, laughingly; "took
them by by surprise, I fancy."

"What is it? What do you mean?" asked I, eagerly.

"Hush!" said he, placing his fingers on his lips; "here they come."

We had just time to stand to one side of the gallery, as the officers
of the household came up, two and two, followed by the Chancellor of
France, and the Dean of St. Roch in his full canonicals. They approached
the table, on which several papers and documents were lying, and
proceeded to sign their names to different writings before them. While
I looked on, puzzled and amazed, totally unable to make the most vague
conjecture of the nature of the proceedings, I perceived that General
d'Auvergne had entered the room, and was standing among the rest at the
table.

"Whose signature do you propose here. General?" said the chancellor, as
he took up a paper before him.

"My aide-de-camp. Lieutenant Burke."

"He is here, sir," said the page, stepping forward.

"You are to sign your name here, sir, and again on this side," said
the chancellor, "with your birthplace annexed, age, and rank in the
service."

"I am a foreigner," said I; "does that make any difference here?"

"None," said