acy which all seemed
to possess. I looked on every side for the First Consul himself, but
he was nowhere to be seen. Monsieur Talleyrand, however, remained: I
recognized him by his soft and measured accent, as he sat beside Madame
Bonaparte, and was relating some story in a low voice, at which she
seemed greatly amused. I could not help wondering at the lively and
animated character of features, beneath which were concealed the dark
secrets of state affairs, the tangled mysteries of political intrigue.
To look on him, you would have said, "There sits one whose easy life
flows on, unruffled by this world's chances."

Not so the tall and swarthy man, whose dark mustache hangs far below his
chin, and who leans on the chimneypiece yonder; the large veins of his
forehead are swollen and knitted, and his deep voice seems to tremble
with strong emotion as he speaks.

"Pray, Monsieur, who is that officer yonder?" said I, to a gentleman
beside me, and whose shoulder was half turned away.

"That," said he, raising his glass, "that is Savary, the Minister of
Police. And, pardon, you are Mr. Burke,--is 't not so?"

I started as he pronounced my name, and looking fixedly at him,
recognized the antagonist with whom I was to measure swords the next
morning in the Bois de Boulogne. I colored at the awkwardness of my
situation; but he, with more ease and self-possession, resumed,--

"Monsieur, this is, to me at least, a very fortunate meeting. I have
called twice, in the hope of seeing you this evening, and am overjoyed
now to find you here. I behaved very ill to you this morning; I feel
it now, I almost felt it at the time. If you will accept my apology for
what has occurred, I make it most freely. My character is in no need of
an affair to make me known as a man of courage; yours, there can be no
doubt of. May I hope you agree with me? I see you hesitate: perhaps
I anticipate the reason,--you do not know how far you can or ought to
receive such an amende?" I nodded, and he continued: "Well, I am rather
a practised person in these matters, and I can safely say you may."

"Be it so, then," said I, taking the hand he proffered, and shaking it
warmly; "I am too young in the world to be my own guide, and I feel you
would not deceive me."

A gratified look, and a renewed pressure of the hand, replied to my
speech.

"One favor more,--you must n't refuse me. Let us sup together. My
_caleche_ is below; people are already taking their