t, that he saw nothing to fear beyond a disagreeable interview. And
to disagreeable interviews he felt he had already served his
apprenticeship that evening; nor could he suppose that Miss Vandeleur
had left anything unsaid. Indeed, the young man was sore both in body
and mind--the one was all bruised, the other was full of smarting
arrows; and he owned to himself that Mr. Vandeleur was master of a very
deadly tongue.

The thought of his bruises reminded him that he had not only come
without a hat, but that his clothes had considerably suffered in his
descent through the chestnut. At the first magazine he purchased a cheap
wideawake, and had the disorder of his toilet summarily repaired. The
keepsake, still rolled in the handkerchief, he thrust in the meantime
into his trousers pocket.

Not many steps beyond the shop he was conscious of a sudden shock, a
hand upon his throat, an infuriated face close to his own, and an open
mouth bawling curses in his ear. The Dictator, having found no trace of
his quarry, was returning by the other way. Francis was a stalwart young
fellow; but he was no match for his adversary, whether in strength or
skill; and after a few ineffectual struggles he resigned himself
entirely to his captor.

"What do you want with me?" said he.

"We will talk of that at home," returned the Dictator grimly.

And he continued to march the young man up hill in the direction of the
house with the green blinds.

But Francis, although he no longer struggled, was only waiting an
opportunity to make a bold push for freedom. With a sudden jerk he left
the collar of his coat in the hands of Mr. Vandeleur, and once more made
off at his best speed in the direction of the Boulevards.

The tables were now turned. If the Dictator was the stronger, Francis,
in the top of his youth, was the more fleet of foot, and he had soon
effected his escape among the crowds. Relieved for a moment, but with a
growing sentiment of alarm and wonder in his mind, he walked briskly
until he debouched upon the Place de l'Opera lit up like day with
electric lamps.

"This, at least," thought he, "should satisfy Miss Vandeleur."

And turning to his right along the Boulevards, he entered the Cafe
Americain and ordered some beer. It was both late and early for the
majority of the frequenters of the establishment. Only two or three
persons, all men, were dotted here and there at separate tables in the
hall; and Francis was too much occ