tion in the
drawing-room kept possession of my heart, and even yet I cannot expel
them."

"I saw it at the time I spoke," replied the general, with a keen, quick
glance; "you changed color twice as I mentioned the Abbe Gernon. Do you
know him?"

"No, sir; it was his intended journey, not himself, for which I felt
interested."

"You would wish to accompany him, perhaps. Well, the matter is not
impossible; but as time presses, and we have little leisure for
mysteries, tell me frankly why are you here?"

In few words, and without a comment on any portion of my conduct, I told
him the principal circumstances of my life, down to the decisive moment
of my leaving the army.

"After that step," said I, "feeling that no career can open to me here,
I wish to regain my own country."

"You are right," said the general, slowly; "it is your only course now.
The venture is not without risk,--less from the English cruisers than
the French, for the abbe is well known in England, and Ireland too;
but his Royalist character would find slight favor with Fouche. You are
willing to run the risk, I suppose?"

"I am."

"And to travel as the abbe's servant, at least to Falaise? there the
disguise will end."

"Perfectly so."

"And for this service, are you also ready to render us one in return?"
said he, peering at me beneath his eyelashes.

"If it involve the good faith I once swore to preserve towards the
Emperor Napoleon, I refuse it at once. On such a condition, I cannot
accept your aid."

"And does your heart still linger where your pride has been so
insulted?"

"It does, it does; to be his soldier once more, I would submit to
everything but dishonor."

"In that case," said he, smiling good-naturedly, "my conscience is a
clear one; and I may forward your escape with the satisfying reflection
that I have diminished the enemies of his Majesty Louis the Eighteenth
by one most inveterate follower of Napoleon. I shall ask no conditions
of you. When are you ready?"

"To-day,--now."

"Let me see; to-morrow will be the 8th,--to-morrow will do. I will write
about it at once. Meanwhile, it is as well you should not drop any hint
of your intended departure, except to Madame de Langeac, whose secrecy
may be relied on."

"May I ask," said I, "if you run any risk in thus befriending me? It is
an office, believe me, of little promise."

"None whatever. Rarely a month passes over without some one or other
leaving this for Englan