n the street.

'Whom have we got here?' said the first who issued forth from the door,
and saw Gerald standing before him.

'What is it? who does he want?' cried Mirabeau, as he saw them in
conversation.

'One of your peasants, Mirabeau, with, doubtless, a Provencal cheese and
some olives for you.'

'Or a letter of loving tidings from that dear uncle,' cried another;
'the only one who ever knew the real goodness of your nature.'

'Let him come up,' said Mirabeau, as he closed the window.

When Gerald reached the top of the stair, he saw in front of him a
large, powerfully-built man, who, standing with his back to the light,
had his features in deep shadow.

'You are the Count de Mirabeau?' began Gerald.

'And you--who are you?' responded he quickly.

'That you shall know, when I am certain of whom I am addressing/

'Come in,' said the Count, and walked before him into the room. He
turned about just as the door closed, and Gerald, fixing his eyes upon
him, cried out, 'Good heavens! is it possible? Signor Gabriel!'

'Now for your own name, my friend,' said Mirabeau calmly.

'Don't you know me, then? don't you remember the boy you saved years ago
from death in the Roman Maremma--Fitzgerald?'

'What!' said Mirabeau, in the same calm voice, 'you Fitzgerald? I should
never have recognised you.'

'And are you really the Count de Mirabeau?'

'Gabriel Riquetti, Count de Mirabeau, is my name,' replied he slowly.
'How did you find me out? What chance led you here?'

'No chance, nor accident. I have come expressly to see and speak with
you. I am a Garde du Corps, and have assumed this disguise to gain
access to you unremarked.'

'A Garde du Corps!' said the Count, in some surprise.

'Yes, Signor Gabriel. My life has had its turns of good and ill fortune
since we parted--the best being that I serve a great prince and a kind
master.'

'Well said, but not over-prudent words to utter in the Faubourg St.
Antoine,' rejoined the Count, smiling. 'Go on.'

'I have come with a message from Monsieur, to desire you will hasten
immediately to St. Cloud, where he will meet you. Secrecy and speed are
both essential, for which reasons he intrusted me with a mere verbal
message, but to secure me your confidence he gave me this ring.'

Mirabeau smiled, and with such a scoffing significance that Gerald
stopped, unable to proceed further.

'And then?' said Mirabeau.

'I have no more to add, Monsieur,' said Gerald haughtily