d he in a low
voice, "do not lose sight of him for a moment; you will answer for him
with your head."

CHAPTER XV.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE DUC D'ORLEANS.

Dubois, on leaving the chevalier, contemplated the chance which had
again placed in his hands the future of the regent and of France. In
crossing the hall he recognized L'Eveille, and signed to him to follow.
It was L'Eveille who had undertaken to get the real La Jonquiere out of
the way. Dubois became thoughtful: the easiest part of the affair was
done; it now remained to persuade the regent to put himself in a kind of
affair which he held in the utmost horror--the maneuvering of intrigue.

Dubois began by asking where the regent was, and how occupied? The
prince was in his studio, finishing an etching commenced by Hubert, the
chemist, who, at an adjoining table, was occupied in embalming an ibis,
by the Egyptian method, which he professed to have recovered.

A secretary was reading some letters to the regent.

All at once, to the regent's astonishment--for this was his sanctum--the
door opened, and an usher announced Captain la Jonquiere.

The regent turned.

"La Jonquiere?" said he; "who is this?"

Hubert looked surprised that a stranger should be thus unceremoniously
intruded on their privacy.

At this moment a long-pointed head appeared at the open door.

The regent did not, at first, recognize Dubois in his disguise: but
shortly, the pointed nose, which had not its match in the kingdom,
betrayed him.

A merry look took the place of the astonishment which the regent's
features had at first displayed.

"Ah, it is you, abbe!" said his highness, laughing, "and what is the
meaning of this disguise?"

"It means that I have changed my skin, and from a fox have turned into a
lion; and now Monsieur the Chemist and Monsieur the Secretary, do me the
favor to take your bird and letters elsewhere."

"Why so?" asked the regent.

"Because I have important business to speak of with you."

"Go to the devil with your important business; it is too late: come
to-morrow."

"Monseigneur," said Dubois, "do not force me to remain till to-morrow in
this villainous disguise."

"Do what you please, but I have decided that the rest of this day shall
be given to pleasure."

"Well, I come to propose a disguise to you also."

"A disguise! what do you mean, Dubois?" asked the regent, who thought it
was probably one of his ordinary masquerades.

"Ah, it makes y