marble, were scattered about, and a silver tea equipage of antique
pattern graced a small table near the fire. A pair of splendidly mounted
pistols hung at one side of the chimney glass, and a gorgeously gilt
sabre occupied the other.

While I took a patient survey of all these, and was deliberately
examining myself as to how and when I had first made their acquaintance,
a voice from an adjoining room, the door of which lay open, exclaimed,--

"_Sacristi! quel mauvais temps!_" and then broke out into a little
French air, to which, after a minute, the singer appeared to move, in a
kind of dancing measure. "Qui, c'est ca!" exclaimed he, in rapture, as
he whirled round in a pirouette, overturning a dressing-table and its
contents with a tremendous crash upon the floor.

I started up, and without thinking of what I was doing, rushed in.

"Ha! bonjour," said he, gayly, stretching out two fingers of a hand
almost concealed beneath a mass of rings. And then suddenly changing to
English, which he spoke perfectly, saving with a foreign accent,--"How
did you sleep? I suppose the _tintamarre_ awoke you."

I hastened to apologize for my intrusion; which he stopped at once by
asking if I had passed a comfortable night, and had a great appetite for
breakfast.

Assuring him of both facts, I retreated into the sitting room, where he
followed me, laughing heartily at his mishap, which he confessed he
had not patience to remedy. "And what 's worse," added he; "I have no
servant. But here 's some tea and coffee; let us chat while we eat."

I drew over my chair at his invitation, and found myself--before half
an hour went by--acted on by that strange magnetism which certain
individuals possess, to detail to my new friend the principal events
of my simple story, down to the very moment in which we sat opposite to
each other. He listened to me with the greatest attention, occasionally
interposing a question, or asking an explanation of something which he
did not perfectly comprehend; and when I concluded, he paused for some
minutes, and then, with a slight laugh, said:--

"You don't know how you disappointed the people here. Your travelling
companion had given them to understand that you were some other Burke,
whose alliance they have been long desiring. In fact, they were certain
of it; but," said he, starting up hastily, "it is far better as it is.
I suspect, my young friend, the way in which you have been entrapped.
Don't fear; w