d. The intercourse between Rome and Ireland is
uninterrupted, and has been so during the hottest period of the war."

"This seems most unaccountable to me; I cannot understand it."

"There is a key to the mystery, however," said he, smiling. "The English
Government have confidence in the peaceful efforts of the priesthood as
regards Ireland, and permit them to hold unlimited intercourse with the
Holy See, which fears France and the spirit of her Emperor. The Bourbons
look to the Church as the last hope of the Restoration. It is in the
Catholic religion of this country, and its traditions, that monarchy
has its root. Sap one, and you undermine the other. Legitimacy is a holy
relic,--like any other, the priests are the guardians of it; and as for
the present ruler of France, he trusts in the spirit of the Church to
increase its converts, and believes that Ireland is ripening to revolt
through the agency of the priests. Fouche alone is not deceived. Between
him and the Church the war is to the knife; and but for him the high
seas would be more open than the road to Strasburg,--at least, to
all with a shaven crown and a silk frock. Here, then, is the simple
explanation of what seemed so difficult; and I believe you will find it
the true one."

"But two out of the three parties must be deceived," said I.

"Perhaps all three are," replied he, smiling sarcastically. "There are
some, at least, who deem the return of the rightful sovereign is more to
be hoped from the sabre than the crosier, and think that Rome never was
true except to Rome. As to your journey, however, its only difficulty
or danger is the transit through France; once at the coast, and all
is safe. Your passport shall be made out as a retired sous-officier
returning to his home. You will take Marboeuf in the route, and I will
give you the necessary directions for discovering the abbe."

"Is it not possible," said I, "that _he_ may feel no inclination
to encumber himself with a fellow-traveller, and particularly one a
stranger to him?"

"Have no fear on that head. Your presence, on the contrary, will give
him courage, and we must let him suppose you accompany him at our
suggestion."

"Not with any implied knowledge or any connection with your views,
however," said I. "This is well understood between us?"

"Perfectly so. And now meet me here this evening, after coffee, and I
will give you your final instructions, Adieu, for the present."

He waved his ha