s soon effected. This condition
of things could not have long existed. The country people in the
neighborhood-visitors coming to see the establishment--would have given
the alarm."

"There you are out. The head rebel was too cunning for that. He
admitted no visitors at all--with the exception, one day, of a very
stupid-looking young gentleman of whom he had no reason to be afraid. He
let him in to see the place--just by way of variety,--to have a little
fun with him. As soon as he had gammoned him sufficiently, he let him
out, and sent him about his business."

"And how long, then, did the madmen reign?"

"Oh, a very long time, indeed--a month certainly--how much longer I
can't precisely say. In the meantime, the lunatics had a jolly season of
it--that you may swear. They doffed their own shabby clothes, and made
free with the family wardrobe and jewels. The cellars of the chateau
were well stocked with wine; and these madmen are just the devils that
know how to drink it. They lived well, I can tell you."

"And the treatment--what was the particular species of treatment which
the leader of the rebels put into operation?"

"Why, as for that, a madman is not necessarily a fool, as I have already
observed; and it is my honest opinion that his treatment was a much
better treatment than that which it superseded. It was a very capital
system indeed--simple--neat--no trouble at all--in fact it was delicious
it was."

Here my host's observations were cut short by another series of yells,
of the same character as those which had previously disconcerted
us. This time, however, they seemed to proceed from persons rapidly
approaching.

"Gracious heavens!" I ejaculated--"the lunatics have most undoubtedly
broken loose."

"I very much fear it is so," replied Monsieur Maillard, now becoming
excessively pale. He had scarcely finished the sentence, before loud
shouts and imprecations were heard beneath the windows; and, immediately
afterward, it became evident that some persons outside were endeavoring
to gain entrance into the room. The door was beaten with what appeared
to be a sledge-hammer, and the shutters were wrenched and shaken with
prodigious violence.

A scene of the most terrible confusion ensued. Monsieur Maillard, to
my excessive astonishment threw himself under the side-board. I had
expected more resolution at his hands. The members of the orchestra,
who, for the last fifteen minutes, had been seemingly too muc