) Simulation and dissimulation mingle extensively in human affairs.

We observe, however, that Count Fersen is often using his Ticket of
Entry; which surely he has clear right to do. A gallant Soldier and
Swede, devoted to this fair Queen;--as indeed the Highest Swede now is.
Has not King Gustav, famed fiery Chevalier du Nord, sworn himself, by
the old laws of chivalry, her Knight? He will descend on fire-wings, of
Swedish musketry, and deliver her from these foul dragons,--if, alas,
the assassin's pistol intervene not!

But, in fact, Count Fersen does seem a likely young soldier, of alert
decisive ways: he circulates widely, seen, unseen; and has business on
hand. Also Colonel the Duke de Choiseul, nephew of Choiseul the great,
of Choiseul the now deceased; he and Engineer Goguelat are passing and
repassing between Metz and the Tuileries; and Letters go in cipher,--one
of them, a most important one, hard to decipher; Fersen having ciphered
it in haste. (Choiseul, Relation du Depart de Louis XVI. (Paris, 1822),
p. 39.) As for Duke de Villequier, he is gone ever since the Day of
Poniards; but his Apartment is useful for her Majesty.

On the other side, poor Commandment Gouvion, watching at the Tuileries,
second in National Command, sees several things hard to interpret. It
is the same Gouvion who sat, long months ago, at the Townhall, gazing
helpless into that Insurrection of Women; motionless, as the brave
stabled steed when conflagration rises, till Usher Maillard snatched his
drum. Sincerer Patriot there is not; but many a shiftier. He, if Dame
Campan gossip credibly, is paying some similitude of love-court to a
certain false Chambermaid of the Palace, who betrays much to him:
the Necessaire, the clothes, the packing of the jewels, (Campan, ii.
141.)--could he understand it when betrayed. Helpless Gouvion gazes with
sincere glassy eyes into it; stirs up his sentries to vigilence; walks
restless to and fro; and hopes the best.

But, on the whole, one finds that, in the second week of June, Colonel
de Choiseul is privately in Paris; having come 'to see his children.'
Also that Fersen has got a stupendous new Coach built, of the kind named
Berline; done by the first artists; according to a model: they bring it
home to him, in Choiseul's presence; the two friends take a proof-drive
in it, along the streets; in meditative mood; then send it up to 'Madame
Sullivan's, in the Rue de Clichy,' far North, to wait there till wa