ctor at once took possession of him, had
his baggage brought from the hotel and gave him the best chamber in his
house. Up to the 29th day of the month, the Colonel was cared for as a
friend, and exhibited as a phenomenon. Seven photographers disputed the
possession of so precious a sitter. The cities of Greece did no more for
our poor old Homer. His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, wished to see
him _in propria persona_, and begged Herr Hirtz to bring him to the
palace. Fougas scratched his ear a little, and intimated that a soldier
ought not to associate with the enemy, seeming to think himself still in
1813.

The Prince is a distinguished soldier, having commanded in person at the
famous siege of Rastadt. He took pleasure in Fougas' conversation; the
heroic simplicity of the young old-time soldier charmed him. He paid him
huge compliments and said that the Emperor of France was very fortunate
in having around him officers of so much merit.

"He has not a great many," replied the Colonel. "If there were but four
or five hundred of my stamp, your Europe would have been bagged long
ago!"

This answer seemed more amusing than threatening, and no addition was
immediately made to the available portion of the Prussian army.

His Royal Highness directly informed Fougas that his indemnity had been
fixed at two hundred and fifty thousand francs, and that he could
receive the amount at the treasury whenever he should find it agreeable.

"My Lord," replied he, "it is always agreeable to pocket the money of an
enemy--a foreigner. But wait! I am not a censor-bearer to Plutus:
give me back the Rhine and Posen, and I'll leave you your two hundred
and fifty thousand francs."

"Are you dreaming?" said the Prince, laughing. "The Rhine and Posen!"

"The Rhine belongs to France, and the Posen to Poland, much more
legitimately than this money to me. But so it is with great lords: they
make it a duty to pay little debts, and a point of honor to ignore big
ones!"

The Prince winced a little, and all the faces of the court gave a
sympathetic twitch. It was discovered that M. Fougas had evinced bad
taste in letting a crumb of truth fall into a big plateful of follies.

But a pretty little Viennese baroness, who was at the presentation, was
much more charmed with his appearance than scandalized at his remarks.
The ladies of Vienna have made for themselves a reputation for
hospitality which they always attempt to support, even when