ife were not an uncertain
thing in these times, there's no saying how long we might not be blessed
with your amiable company.'

'You shall not be burthened heavily, citizen,' said I: 'let me have my
dinner--I have not eaten since yesterday morning, and I will go my ways
peacefully.'

'Which means straight to Robespierre's dwelling, to tell him that I have
turned you out of doors--eh, sirrah?'

'You mistake me much,' said I; 'this would be sorry gratitude for eaten
bread. I meant what I said--that I will not be an unwelcome guest, even
though the alternative be, as it is, something very nigh starvation.'

Boivin did not seem clearly to comprehend the meaning of what I said; or
perhaps my whole conduct and bearing puzzled him, for he made no reply
for several seconds. At last, with a kind of sigh, he said-- 'Well,
well, it cannot be helped; it must be even as he wished, though the odds
are, he 'll never think more about him. Come, lad, you shall have your
dinner.'

I followed him through a narrow, unlighted passage, which opened into
a room, where, at a long table, were seated a number of men and boys at
dinner. Some were dressed as cooks; others wore a kind of grey blouse,
with a badge upon the arm, bearing the name 'Boivin' in large letters,
and were, as I afterwards learned, the messengers employed to carry
refreshments into the prison, and who, by virtue of this sign, were
freely admitted within the gates.

Taking my place at the board, I proceeded to eat with a voracity that
only a long fast could have excused; and thus took but little heed of
my companions, whose solecisms in table etiquette might otherwise have
amused me.

'Art a Marmiton, thou?' asked an elderly man in a cook's cap, as he
stared fixedly at me for some seconds.

'No,' said I, helping myself and eating away as before.

'Thou canst never be a commissionaire, friend, with an appetite like
that,' cried another; 'I wouldn't trust thee to carry a casserole to the
fire.'

'Nor shall I be,' said I coolly.

'What trade, then, has the good fortune to possess your shining
abilities.'

'A trade that thrives well just now, friend--pass me the flask.'

'Indeed, and what may it be?'

'Can you not guess, citizen,' said I, 'if I tell you that it was never
more in vogue; and, if there be some who will not follow it, they'll
wear their heads just as safely by holding their peace?'

'_Parbleu!_ thou hast puzzled me,' said the chief cook; 'and if th