pension,--there are people, by Jove! would throw
discredit on it."

This latter observation seemed so perfectly to sum up our own thoughts
on the matter that we really had nothing to remark on it; and after a
silence of a few seconds, politely relieved by the countess hinting at
coffee in the drawing-room, we arose and followed her.

CHAPTER XVII. THE RUE DES CAPUCINES

Before I parted with Bubbleton that evening be promised to breakfast
with me on the following morning; and true to his word, entered my
quarters soon after ten o'clock. I longed to have an opportunity of
talking to him alone, and learning some intelligence of that country,
which, young as I had left it, was still hallowed in memory as my own.

"Eh, by Jupiter! this is something like a quarter,--gilded mouldings,
frescos, silk hangings, and Persian rugs. I say, Tom, are you sure you
haven't made a mistake, my boy, and just imagined that you were somebody
else,--Murat or Bernadotte, for example? The thing is far easier than
you may think; it happened to me before now."

"Be tranquil on that score," said I, "we are both at home; though
these quarters are, as you remark, far beyond the mark of a captain of
hussars."

"A captain! Why, hang it, you're not captain already?"

"Yes, to be sure. What signifies it? Only think of your own rapid rise
since we parted; you were but a captain then, and to be now a
lieutenant-general!"

"Ah, true, very true," said he, hurriedly, while he bustled about the
room, examining the furniture, and inspecting the decorations most
narrowly. "Capital service this must be," muttered he, between his
teeth; "not much pay, I fancy, but a deal of plunder and private
robbery."

"I cannot say much on that head," said I, laughing outright at what
he intended for a soliloquy; "but I must confess I have no reason to
complain of my lot."

"Egad! I should think not," rejoined he; "better than Old George's
Street. Well, well, I wish I were but back there,--that's all."

"Come, sit down to your breakfast; and perhaps when we talk it over some
plan may present itself for your exchange."

How thoroughly had I forgotten my friend when I uttered the sentiment;
for scarcely was he seated at table, when he launched out, as of old,
into one of his visionary harangues,--throwing forth dark hints of his
own political importance, and the keen watch the Emperor had set upon
his movements.

"No, my friend, the thing is impossible," sai