Dumas, who was minister of war at Naples during the usurpation
of Joseph.'

"'I am sorry,' I answered, 'to be obliged to decline any
relationship with that illustrious general. My father was not
General Matthieu, but General Alexandre Dumas. The same,' I
continued, seeing that he was endeavouring to recall some
reminiscences connected with the name of Dumas, 'who, after
having been made prisoner at Tarentum, in contempt of the
rights of hospitality, was poisoned at Brindisi, with Mauscourt
and Dolomieu, in contempt of the rights of nations. This
happened, monsieur l'ambassadeur, at the same time that they
hanged Carracciolo in the Gulf of Naples. You see I do all I
can to assist your recollection.'

"M. de Ludorf bit his lips.

"'Well, monsieur,' he resumed after a moment's silence, 'there
is a second reason--your political opinions. You are marked out
as a republican, and have quitted Paris, it is said, on some
political design.'

"'To which I answer, monsieur, by showing you my letters of
introduction. They bear nearly all the seals and signatures of
our ministers. Here is one from the Admiral Jacob, another from
Marshal Soult, another from M. de Villemain; they claim for me
the aid of the French ambassador in any case of this
description.'

"'Well, well,' said M. de Ludorf, 'since you have foreseen the
very difficulty that has occurred, meet it with those means
which are in your power. For me, I repeat, I cannot sign your
passport. Those of your companions are quite regular; they can
proceed when they please; but they must proceed without you.'

"'Has the Count de Ludorf' said I, rising, 'any commissions for
Naples?'

"'Why so, monsieur?'

"'Because I shall have great pleasure in undertaking them.'

"'But I repeat, you cannot go to Naples.'

"'I shall be there in three days.'

"I wished M. de Ludorf good morning, and left him stupefied at
my assurance."--Vol. ii. p. 5.

Our dramatical traveller ran immediately to a young friend, an artist
then studying at Rome, and prevailed on him to take out a passport, in
his own name for Naples. Fortified with this passport, and assuming the
name of his friend, he left Rome that evening. The following day he
reached Naples. But as he was exposed every moment to detection, it was
necessary that he should pass over immedi