o at dinner."

"I did say so, it is true; I also said that I liked the French people
heartily."

Roland bowed.

"And above all General Bonaparte," continued Sir John.

"You like General Bonaparte very much?"

"I admire him; he is a great, a very great, man."

"By Heavens! Sir John, I am sorry he is not here to hear an Englishman
say that of him."

"Oh! if he were here I should not say it."

"Why not?"

"I should not want him to think I was trying to please him. I say so
because it is my opinion."

"I don't doubt it, my lord," said Roland, who did not see what the
Englishman was aiming at, and who, having learned all that he wished to
know through the passport, held himself upon his guard.

"And when I heard," continued the Englishman with the same phlegm, "you
defend General Bonaparte, I was much pleased."

"Really?"

"Much pleased," repeated the Englishman, nodding his head affirmatively.

"So much the better!"

"But when I saw you throw a plate at M. Alfred de Barjols' head, I was
much grieved."

"You were grieved, my lord, and why?"

"Because in England no gentleman would throw a plate at the head of
another gentleman."

"My lord," said Roland, rising with a frown, "have you perchance come
here to read me a lecture?"

"Oh, no; I came to suggest that you are perhaps perplexed about finding
a second?"

"My faith, Sir John! I admit that the moment when you knocked at the
door I was wondering of whom I could ask this service."

"Of me, if you wish," said the Englishman. "I will be your second."

"On my honor!" exclaimed Roland, "I accept with all my heart."

"That is the service I wished to render you!"

Roland held out his hand, saying: "Thank you!"

The Englishman bowed.

"Now," continued Roland, "as you have had the good taste, my lord, to
tell me who you were before offering your services, it is but fair that,
since I accept them, I should tell you who I am."

"Oh! as you please."

"My name is Louis de Montrevel; I am aide-de-camp to General Bonaparte."

"Aide-de-camp to General Bonaparte. I am very glad."

"That will explain why I undertook, rather too warmly perhaps, my
general's defence."

"No, not too warmly; only, the plate--"

"Oh, I know well that the provocation did not entail that plate. But
what would you have me do! I held it in my hand, and, not knowing what
to do with it, I threw it at M. de Barjols' head; it went of itself
without any will of mine."

"You wi