ormer
enemy, Laborde; it was I who saved my son, two nights since, from
prison. He is guilty of nothing. If any one is guilty, that one am I
alone. I ask, then, that I be considered as a prisoner, and that this
innocent young man be set free. But as a peer of France, I claim to
be sent to France, where I can be tried by my peers, since this court
is one that can have no jurisdiction over one of my rank."

Here the Count de Montresor ceased, and turning to his son, stood
conversing with him in a low whisper.

"Every word is true," said Florian. "I assert that Pere Michel is the
Count de Montresor. I had noticed the likeness formerly; but, as I
believed the count to be dead, I thought it only accidental, until a
few days ago, when he revealed the truth to me. I recognized him by
facts and statements which he made. He has changed greatly since the
old days, yet not beyond recognition by a friend. This being the
case, then, we have nothing to do, except to send him to France by
the next ship. As to the young count, his son, I cannot see that we
have any charge against him whatever."

All present, with one exception, had been profoundly moved by the
meeting between father and son, nor had they been much less deeply
moved by the words of the old count, which, though somewhat
incoherent, had been spoken with impressiveness and dignity. The
announcement of his lofty rank; the remembrance of his misfortunes,
of which most present had heard, and which were universally believed
to be unmerited; the assertion that Cazeneau had been the arch
villain and plotter,--all combined to increase the common feeling of
sympathy for the two before them. This feeling was deepened by
Florian's words. His influence, but recently so strong, had not yet
passed away. The new commandant, even under ordinary circumstances,
would have been unpopular; but on the present occasion he was
detested. The feeling, therefore, was general that nothing ought to
be done; and Cazeneau, his heart full of vengeance, found himself
well nigh powerless. But he was not a man who could readily give up
the purpose of his heart; and therefore he quickly seized the only
resource left him.

"Gentlemen," said he, "we must not allow ourselves to be influenced
by purely sentimental considerations. I believe that this priest
speaks falsely, and that he has imposed upon the sympathies of M. de
Florian. Besides, he is an outlaw and a criminal in the eyes of
French justice. A