im! He will be a great king. For he will
be king without doubt. He will come back and sooner than people think.
. . . What I have to tell you, the message with which I am entrusted,
refers precisely to. . ."

The Emiral stood up.

"Not a word more, dear lady. I have the esteem, the confidence of the
Republic. I will not betray it. And why should I betray it? I am loaded
honours and dignities."

"Allow me to tell you, my dear Emiral, that your honours and dignities
are far from equalling what you deserve. If your services were
properly rewarded, you would be Emiralissimo and Generalissimo,
Commander-in-chief of the troops both on land and sea. The Republic is
very ungrateful to you."

"All governments are more or less ungrateful."

"Yes, but the Republicans are jealous of you. That class of person
is always afraid of his superiors. They cannot endure the Services.
Everything that has to do with the navy and the army is odious to them.
They are afraid of you."

"That is possible."

"They are wretches; they are ruining the country. Don't you wish to save
Penguinia?

"In what way?"

"By sweeping away all the rascals of the Republic, all the Republicans."

"What a proposal to make to me, dear lady!"

"It is what will certainly be done, if not by you, then by some one
else. The Generalissimo, to mention him alone, is ready to throw all
the ministers, deputies, and senators into the sea, and to recall Prince
Crucho."

"Oh, the rascal, the scoundrel," exclaimed the Emiral.

"Do to him what he would do to you. The prince will know how to
recognise your services, He will give you the Constable's sword and a
magnificent grant. I am commissioned, in the mean time, to hand you a
pledge of his royal friendship."

As she said these words she drew a green cockade from her bosom.

"What is that?" asked the Emiral.

"It is his colours which Crucho sends you."

"Be good enough to take them back."

"So that they may be offered to the Generalissimo who will accept them!
. . . No, Emiral, let me place them on your glorious breast."

Chatillon gently repelled the lady. But for some minutes he thought her
extremely pretty, and he felt this impression still more when two bare
arms and the rosy palms of two delicate hands touched him lightly. He
yielded almost immediately. Olive was slow in fastening the ribbon. Then
when it was done she made a low courtesy and saluted Chatillon with the
title of Constable.

"I have b