y would receive from court. You look at me
with surprise because I speak the language of truth; be a reasonable
creature I implore of you once in your life, and do not thus sacrifice
the interests of your life to a romantic disregard of self."

I could not feel offended with the marechale for addressing me thus, but
I could not help fancying the moment was ill chosen, and unable to frame
an answer to my mind, I remained silent. Mistaken as to the cause of my
taciturnity, she continued,

"Come, I am well pleased to see you thus reflecting upon what I have
said; but lose no time, strike the iron while it is hot. Do as I have
recommended either to-night or early to-morrow; possibly, after that
time it may be too late. May I venture also to remind you of your
friends, my dear countess. I am in great trouble just now, and I trust
you will not refuse to obtain for me, from his majesty, a favour
of which I stand in the utmost need--50,000 francs would come very
seasonably; I have lost that sum at cards, and must pay it, but how I
know not."

"Let not that distress you," said I, "for I can relieve you of that
difficulty until the king's convalescence enables him to undertake the
pleasing office of assisting your wishes. M. de Laborde has orders to
honour all my drafts upon him, I will therefore draw for the sum you
require." So saying, I hastily scrawled upon a little tumbled piece of
paper those magic words, which had power to unlock the strong coffers of
a court banker. The marechale embraced me several times with the utmost
vivacity.

"You are my guardian angel," cried she, "you save me from despair. But,
tell me, my generous friend, do you think M. de Laborde will make any
difficulty?"

"Why," said I, "should you suppose it possible he will do so?"

"Oh, merely on account of present circumstances."

"What circumstances?"

"The illness--no, I mean the indisposition of his majesty."

"He is an excellent man," said I, "and I doubt not but he will act nobly
and honourably."

"If we could but procure his majesty's signature--"

"But that is quite impossible to-night."

"I know it is, and, therefore, I will tell you what I think of doing.
Perhaps, if I were to set out for Paris immediately, I might be able to
present this cheque before Laborde is acquainted with our misfortune. It
is not late, so farewell, my dearest countess. I shall return to-morrow
before you are up, but do not forget what I have said to you; an