f an hour, and Paul standing on the seat to be worshiped. How
could I go to America and leave her? And what could I do for her when a
rich man like De Chaumont was powerless?

"Can't you see Napoleon," I suggested, "and ask him to give the marquis
a moment's private audience, and accept his thanks?"

"No!" groaned De Chaumont. "He wouldn't do it. I couldn't put myself in
such a position!"

"If Napoleon came in so hurriedly he may not show himself in the state
apartments to-night."

"But he is accessible, wherever he is. He doesn't deny himself to the
meanest soldier. Why should he refuse to see a noble of the class he is
always conciliating when he can?"

"Introduce me to the Marquis de Ferrier," I finally said, "and let me
see if I can talk against time while you get your emperor out of his
way."

I thought desperately of revealing to the old royalist what I believed
myself to be, what Eagle and he believed me to be, and commanding him,
as his rightful prince, to content himself with less effusive and less
public gratitude to an usurper. He would live in the country, shrinking
so naturally from the court that a self-imposed appearance there need
never be repeated.

I believe this would have succeeded. A half hour more of time might have
saved years of comfort to Eagle--for De Chaumont was generous--and have
changed the outcome of my own life. But in scant fifteen minutes our
fate was decided.

De Chaumont and I had moved with our heads together, from corridor to
antechamber, from antechamber to curtained salon of the lower floor. The
private apartments of the Bonaparte family were thrown open, and in the
mahogany furnished room, all hung with yellow satin, I noticed a Swiss
clock which pointed its minute finger to a quarter before eleven. I made
no hurry. My errand was not accomplished. Skenedonk would wait for me,
and even dare a search if he became suspicious.

The count, knowing what Madame de Ferrier considered me, perhaps knew my
plan. He turned back at once assenting.

The Marquis and Marquise de Ferrier were that instant going up the grand
staircase, and would be announced. Eagle turned her face above me, the
long line of her throat uplifted, and went courageous and smiling on her
way. The marquis had adapted himself to the court requirements of the
Empire. Noble gentleman of another period, he stalked a piteous
masquerader where he had once been at home.

Count de Chaumont grasped my arm and we hu