crowd closed on me, and a
hundred arms were stretched out to attack me. In vain all my efforts to
resist. My hat was torn from my head, and assailed on every side, I was
dragged into the middle of the street, amid wild cries of vengeance and
taunting insults. It was then, as I lay overcome by numbers, that a loud
cry to fall back issued from the cavalcade, and a horseman, sword in
hand, dashed upon the mob, slashing on every side as he went, mounted
on a high-mettled horse. He cleared the dense mass with the speed of
lightning, and drove back my assailants.

[Illustration: BrowneBeauvais341]

"Catch my horse's mane," said he, hurriedly. "Hold fast for a few
seconds, and you are safe."

Following the advice, I held firmly by the long mane of his charger,
while, clearing away the mob on either side, he protected me by his
drawn sabre above my head.

"Safe this time!" said he, as we arrived within the ranks. And then
turning round, so as to face me, added, "Safe! and my debt acquitted.
You saved my life once; and though the peril seemed less imminent now,
trust me, yours had not escaped the fury of that multitude without me."

"What! Henri de Beauvais! Do we meet again?"

"Yes; but with altered fortune, Burke. Our king, as the words of our
Garde Ecossaise song says,--our king 'has got his own again.' The day
of loyalty has again dawned on France, and a grateful people may carry
their enthusiasm for the Restoration, even as far as vengeance on their
opponents, and yet not merit much reproach. But no more of this. We can
be friends now; or if not, it must be your fault."

"I am not too proud, De Beauvais, either to accept or acknowledge a
favor at your hands."

"Then we are friends," said he, joyfully. "And in the name of
friendship, let me beg of you to place this _cordon_ in your hat." And
so saying, he detached the cockade of white ribbon he wore from his own,
and held it towards me. "Well, then, at least remove the tricolor; it
can but expose you to insult. Remember, Burke, its day is over."

"I am not likely to forget it," replied I, sadly.

"Monsieur le Colonel, his royal highness wishes to speak with you," said
an aide-de-camp, riding up beside De Beauvais's horse.

"Take care of this gentleman for me," said De Beauvais, pointing to me;
and then, wheeling round his horse, he galloped at full speed to the
rear.

"I will spare you all trouble on my account, sir," said I. "My way lies
yonder, and at prese