the bearer of an order from the king."

"Very well, sir," replied Broussel, "what is this order?" And he held
out his hand.

"I am commissioned to seize your person, sir," said Comminges, in the
same tone and with the same politeness; "and if you will believe me you
had better spare yourself the trouble of reading that long letter and
follow me."

A thunderbolt falling in the midst of these good people, so peacefully
assembled there, would not have produced a more appalling effect. It was
a horrible thing at that period to be imprisoned by the enmity of the
king. Louvieres sprang forward to snatch his sword, which stood against
a chair in a corner of the room; but a glance from the worthy Broussel,
who in the midst of it all did not lose his presence of mind, checked
this foolhardy action of despair. Madame Broussel, separated by the
width of the table from her husband, burst into tears, and the young
girls clung to their father's arms.

"Come, sir," said Comminges, "make haste; you must obey the king."

"Sir," said Broussel, "I am in bad health and cannot give myself up a
prisoner in this state; I must have time."

"It is impossible," said Comminges; "the order is strict and must be put
into execution this instant."

"Impossible!" said Louvieres; "sir, beware of driving us to despair."

"Impossible!" cried a shrill voice from the end of the room.

Comminges turned and saw Dame Nanette, her eyes flashing with anger and
a broom in her hand.

"My good Nanette, be quiet, I beseech you," said Broussel.

"Me! keep quiet while my master is being arrested! he, the support, the
liberator, the father of the people! Ah! well, yes; you have to know me
yet. Are you going?" added she to Comminges.

The latter smiled.

"Come, sir," said he, addressing Broussel, "silence that woman and
follow me."

"Silence me! me! me!" said Nanette. "Ah! yet one wants some one besides
you for that, my fine king's cockatoo! You shall see." And Dame Nanette
sprang to the window, threw it open, and in such a piercing voice that
it might have been heard in the square of Notre Dame:

"Help!" she screamed, "my master is being arrested; the Councillor
Broussel is being arrested! Help!"

"Sir," said Comminges, "declare yourself at once; will you obey or do
you intend to rebel against the king?"

"I obey, I obey, sir!" cried Broussel, trying to disengage himself
from the grasp of his two daughters and by a look restrain his son, who
seem