cter, lovable as
that of Henri IV.,--and tell me what more than all this could you expect
from the reign of a Bourbon?"

"With such results," said Alain, "from the monarchy you so eloquently
praise, I fail to discover what the emperor's throne could possibly gain
by a few powerless converts from an unpopular, and you say, no doubt
truly, from a hopeless cause."

"I say monarchy gains much by the loyal adhesion of any man of courage,
ability, and honour. Every new monarchy gains much by conversions from
the ranks by which the older monarchies were strengthened and adorned.
But I do not here invoke your aid merely to this monarchy, my cousin;
I demand your devotion to the interests of France; I demand that you
should not rest an outlaw from her service. Ah, you think that France is
in no danger, that you may desert or oppose the Empire as you list, and
that society will remain safe! You are mistaken. Ask Enguerrand."

"Madame," said Enguerrand, "you overrate my political knowledge in that
appeal; but, honestly speaking, I subscribe to your reasonings. I agree
with you that the empire sorely needs the support of men of honour; it
has one cause of rot which now undermines it,--dishonest jobbery in its
administrative departments; even in that of the army, which apparently
is so heeded and cared for. I agree with you that France is in danger,
and may need the swords of all her better sons, whether against the
foreigner or against her worst enemies,--the mobs of her great towns.
I myself received a military education, and but for my reluctance to
separate myself from my father and Raoul, I should be a candidate for
employments more congenial to me than those of the Bourse and my trade
in the glove-shop. But Alain is happily free from all family ties, and
Alain knows that my advice to him is not hostile to your exhortations."

"I am glad to think he is under so salutary an influence," said the
Duchesse; and seeing that Alain remained silent and thoughtful, she
wisely changed the subject, and shortly afterwards the two friends took
leave.

CHAPTER IV.

Three days elapsed before Graham again saw M. Lebeau. The letter-writer
did not show himself at the cafe, and was not to be found at his office,
the ordinary business of which was transacted by his clerk, saying that
his master was much engaged on important matters that took him from
home.

Graham naturally thought that these matters concerned the discovery
of Louis