wn from Paris; and
our officials here will not advance the money till it arrives, as if
these were times for such punctilio. They are to form part of General
Kellermann's force, which is sadly deficient. Remain here, however, and
perhaps by to-morrow--"

"How much may the sum be, sir?" asked I, interrupting.

The general almost started with surprise at the abruptness of my
question, and in a tone of half reproof answered,--

"The amount required is beside the matter, sir; unless," added he,
sarcastically, "you are disposed to advance it yourself."

"Such was the object of my question," said I, calmly, and determining
not to notice the manner he had assumed.

"_Parbleu!_" exclaimed he, "that is very different. Twenty thousand
francs, however, is a considerable sum."

"I have as much, and something more, if need be, in my carriage,--if
English gold be no objection."

"No, _pardie!_ that it is not," cried he, laughing; "I only wish we saw
more of it. Are you serious in all this?"

The best reply to his question was to hasten down stairs and return with
two small canvas bags in my hands.

"Here are one thousand guineas," said I, laying them on the table.

While one of the general's aides-de-camp was counting and examining the
gold, I repeated at his request the circumstances which brought me once
again to France to serve under the banner of the Emperor.

"And your name, sir," said he, as he seated himself to write, "is Thomas
Burke, ci-devant captain of the Eighth Hussars of the Guard. Well, I can
promise you the restoration of your old grade. Meanwhile, you must
take command of these fellows. They are mere partisan troops, hurriedly
raised, and ill organized; but I'll give you a letter to General
Damremont at Chalons, and he 'll attend to you."

"It is not a position for myself I seek, General," said I. "Wherever I
can best serve the Emperor, there only I desire to be."

"I have ventured to leave that point to General Damremont," said he,
smiling. "Your motives do not require much explanation. Let us to
breakfast now, and by noon we shall have everything in readiness for
your departure."

Thus rapidly, and as it were by the merest accident, was I again become
a soldier of the Emperor; and that same day was once more at the head of
a squadron, on my way to Chalons. My troop were, indeed, very unlike
the splendid array of my old Hussars of the Guard. They were hurriedly
raised, and not over well equipped, bu