The police for a time
have been somewhat frequent in their visits here, when the exclusively
Royalist feature of the 'pension' excited some dissatisfaction. To
overcome the impression, M. Rubichon determined to wait each day at the
bureau of the prefet, and solicit at hazard among the persons there
to patronize his house. We all here consented to the plan, feeling
its necessity. Our good fortune sent us you. Still, you must not be
surprised if long sorrows and much suffering have engendered suspicion,
nor that the old followers of a king look distrustfully on the soldier
of"--she hesitated and blushed slightly, then added, in a low voice--"of
the Emperor."

The word seemed to have cost a pang in its utterance; for she did not
speak for several minutes after.

"And these gentlemen,--am I to conclude that they cherish disaffection
to the present Government, or harbor a hope of its downfall?"

Whether some accidental expression of disdain escaped me as I said this,
I cannot say; but Madame de Langeao quickly replied,--

"They are good Frenchmen, sir, and loyal gentlemen; what they _hope_
must be a matter for their own hearts."

"I entreat your pardon, Madame, if I have said one syllable which could
reflect upon their motives."

"I forgive you readily," said she, smiling courteously; "he who has worn
a sabre so long, may well deem its influence all-powerful. But believe
me, young man, there is that within the heart of a nation against which
mere force is nothing; opposed to it, armed squadrons and dense ranks
are powerless. Devotion to a sovereign, whose claim comes hallowed by a
long line of kings, is a faith to which religion lends its sanction and
tradition its hope. Look on these very persons here; see, has adversity
chilled their affection, or poverty damped their ardor? You know them
not; but I will tell you who they are.

"There, at the fire, that venerable old man with the high, bold
forehead, he is Monsieur de Plessis (Comte Plessis de Riancourt). His
grandfather entertained Louis the Fourteenth and his suite within his
chateau; he himself was grand falconer to the king. And what is he
now? I shame to speak it,--a fencing-master at an humble school of the
Faubourg.

"And the other opposite to him (he is stooping to pick something from
the floor), I myself saw him kneel at the levee of his Majesty, and
beheld the king assist him to rise, as he said, 'Monsieur de Maurepas, I
would make you a duke, but that