their own republic, and for
themselves they took Tampico from the French. But why? What was the real
object in Driscoll's innermost thought? The suspicion arises: Was it to
win a peace-offering wherewith to make friends again with the Liberals?
Such an explanation of his otherwise wild scheme is but a theory, but
the theory fits, for John D. Driscoll, though as reckless as any and
quick for any forlorn hope, was, when a leader, scrupulously practical.

The above suggestion, moreover, is apropos in these later days, when the
Tampico Republic has become to be folklore throughout Missouri, and when
our cousins, the Kentuckians, even those proud colonels by acclamation,
cannot rank beside these five hundred colonels scattered over the sister
state; so that, when a stranger questions, a Missourian answers: "He a
colonel? W'y yes, of course, sir. And, by God sir, a Tampico colonel,
too! Yes, one of the five hundred!" and the stranger's eyes bulge as he
takes off his hat.

[The deposition of Meagre Shanks ends here.]

CHAPTER VIII

ROYAL RESOLUTION

"... O restless fate of pride,
That strives to learn what Heaven resolves to hide."--_The Iliad._

On returning to the capital, Jacqueline did not once set foot in any
Imperial palace, but she established her own salon of a grande dame, and
there installed herself mid a simple elegance. What was left of the
mortgaged chateau in the Bourbonnais went to pay for it. Jacqueline
would accept not a louis out of Napoleon's Black Chest. A French
gentlewoman, she impoverished herself to work for France. And when, a
little later, Napoleon dishonored his own name and that of France in his
dealings with Maximilian, she thanked the instinct that had kept her
free. Puddles muddied one's skirt so! The valiant maid broke her sword.
She would serve no longer. At least, she was quite certain that she
would not.

Napoleon's shame lay in this. Maximilian had accepted his harsh
ultimatum regarding the Mexican customs, and in return for such
humiliation he depended on the presence of the French troops for yet
another year. But the United States threatened war, and Napoleon
cringed. He would withdraw the troops immediately. He would abandon
Maximilian, treaty or no treaty. Thus the quiet forces in the American
Legation at Paris battled against the proud House of Orleans. The
princess of that House failed. She could not save her husband's throne,
and her own. Her mind gave way. She