; I am certain Cadorno will send you a message before
the week is over."

"And why not before the day was over? Are these accusations a man sleeps
upon?"

"The King commanded them both to reply to your charges formally and
distinctly, but not with the sword; and he was right so far."

"At all events, was it kingly to tell me of the favors that had been
bestowed upon me, and to remind me that I was an alien, and unknown?"

"The King was angry."

"He was angrier when I handed him back his patent, and told him that I
did not care to be the last-made noble of a dynasty."

"It was outrageous, I was shocked to hear you; and for one so young, I
was struck with the dignity with which he heard you."

"I don't think he understood me; he was impassive because he did not
know he was wounded. But why do I talk of these things? They have no
longer the faintest interest for me. Except yourself, there is not a man
in the cause I care for."

"This is a mere passing depression, my dear Maitland. All things seem
sad-colored to you now. Wait till tomorrow, or wait till there be a
moment of danger, and you will be yourself again."

"As for that," said Maitland, bitterly, "I am terribly myself just
now. The last eight or ten years of my life were the dream; now is the
awakenment. But cheer up, my old friend. I will stand by _you_, though I
care very little for the cause you fight for. I will still serve on the
Staff, and play out my part to the fall of the curtain."

"What a strange scene that council was this morning!" said Caffarelli,
half wishing to draw him from the personal theme.

"What a strange thing to call a council, where not merely men walked in
and out unbidden, but where a chance traveller could sit down amongst
the King's advisers, and give his opinion like a servant of the crown!
Do you even know his name?"

"I'm not sure that I do; but it sounded like Tchernicheff. He
distinguished himself against the Turks on the Danube."

"And because he routed some ill-disciplined hordes with others a
mere shade more civilized, he comes here to impose his opinion on our
councils, and tell us how we are to defend ourselves!"

"I did not hear him utter a word."

"No, but he handed in a paper drawn up by himself, in which he
recommends the King to withdraw all the forces in front of Capua, and
meet these marauders, where they will less like to fight, in the
open. The advice was good, even though it came from a barbarian. In