every man has his protecting genius, so has he
also all the signs, which are peculiarly suited to him, and which are
of the highest importance, if he attends to them and knows how to apply
to himself their signification."

"Excellent!" exclaimed the Lady, "now I listen to you willingly, for if
the hero is at the same time a philosopher, I like him all the better
for it."

"Most bewitching of your sex!" said Montrevel while he attempted to
kiss her hand, which she hastily snatched from his lips. "Being then of
this belief," said the Marshal, "you may judge of my horror as I sat
to-day at table,--the Lord of Basville to whom, on account of his
station, this attention is due, sat near me, my aide-de-camp and a few
officers,--dinner is announced, the plates are changed,--but, my sight
becomes again obscured when I think of it."--

"For heaven's sake," said Edmond, "what is it? assuredly some dreadful
wickedness of the rebels, fire-brands and murder, or poison."--"No,
young man," continued the Marshal, somewhat tranquillized, "against
such things I am secure,--my Fleury, the luckless man, my valet, who in
other respects is cleverness and dexterity itself, this man at a sign
from me (for he only waits upon me and therefore the affair is the more
incomprehensible) was handing the salt, and while I was taking it, he
entirely upset the saltcellar before me; a mist came over my eyes, I
was compelled to go to bed, having discharged my valet, and come here
to find consolation and tranquillity."

Edmond, who turned away with the greater shame and vexation, the more
he had been excited by the narrative; could not sustain the fiery
regards of the Marshal, who, in seeking to arouse sympathy, fixed his
eyes steadfastly upon him and Christine. The latter very
unceremoniously burst into a loud and hearty fit of laughter, while she
looked at Edmond almost maliciously.

"Well, really! madam," began the Marshal, "this treatment is the more
unexpected, as I am unaccustomed to it from you; if such things can
make you merry, you think too slightly of the happiness, or unhappiness
of your friend."

"Not so indeed," said Christine, "besides I am not particularly merry,
I think the tale very edifying and dare be sworn, that the woman and
children, whom early this morning you so serenely caused to be shot,
also upset the saltcellar in their hut yesterday evening, but you are
now free from all these accidents, is it not so Marshal?"

"Is i