g
chances of success each moment told. At last the door of a salon was
flung wide, and the Grand Marechal, accompanied by the officers in
waiting, were seen retiring in measured steps before the King. His
Majesty had not advanced half-way along the corridor when he perceived
the splashed and travel-stained figure of the officer. 'Who is that?'
demanded he, in a tone of almost asperity. The officer on guard stepped
forward, and told who he was and the object of his coming. The king
spoke a few words hastily and passed on. Langlet awaited in breathless
eagerness to hear when he should have his audience--he only craved time
for a single sentence. What was the reply he received?--an order to
present himself, 'suitably dressed,' in the morning. Before that morning
broke there was no King in France!

"Take this--the story is true--as a specimen of the fatuity of the
Court. _Quem Deus vult perdere_;--so it is we speak of events, but we
forget ourselves."

"But still," said I, "the army scarcely performed their _devoir_--not,
at least, as French troops understand _devoir_--where their hearts are
engaged.''

"You are mistaken again," said he. "Save in a few companies of the line,
never did troops behave better: four entire squadrons of one regiment
were cut to pieces at the end of the Rue Royale; two infantry regiments
were actually annihilated at the Hotel de Ville. For eight hours, at the
Place du Carrousel, we had no ammunition, while the insurgents poured in
a most murderous fire: so was it along the Quai Voltaire."

"I have heard," said I, "that the Duc de Raguse lost his head
completely."

"I can assure you, sir, they who say so calumniate him," was the calm
reply. "Never before that day was a Marshal of France called upon to
fight an armed host, without soldiers and without ammunition."

"His fate would induce us to be superstitious, and believe in good luck.
Never was there a man more persecuted by ill fortune!"

"I perceive they are shutting the gates," said my companion, rising;
"these worthy Meranersare of the very earliest to retire for the night."
And so saying, and with a "Good night," so hastily uttered as to forbid
further converse, my companion withdrew, while I wandered slowly back
to my Inn, curious to learn who he might be, and if I should ever chance
upon him again.

*****

I heard a voice this morning on the bridge, so exactly like that of my
companion of last night, that I could not help starti