ring, that the letters from the Island of
Elba ought to have informed them'"--

Franz interrupted himself by saying, "My father was a royalist; they
need not have asked his sentiments, which were well known."

"And hence," said Villefort, "arose my affection for your father, my
dear M. Franz. Opinions held in common are a ready bond of union."

"Read again," said the old man. Franz continued:--

"'The president then sought to make him speak more explicitly, but M. de
Quesnel replied that he wished first to know what they wanted with him.
He was then informed of the contents of the letter from the Island of
Elba, in which he was recommended to the club as a man who would be
likely to advance the interests of their party. One paragraph spoke of
the return of Bonaparte and promised another letter and further details,
on the arrival of the Pharaon belonging to the shipbuilder Morrel, of
Marseilles, whose captain was entirely devoted to the emperor. During
all this time, the general, on whom they thought to have relied as on a
brother, manifested evidently signs of discontent and repugnance. When
the reading was finished, he remained silent, with knitted brows.

"'"Well," asked the president, "what do you say to this letter,
general?"

"'"I say that it is too soon after declaring myself for Louis XVIII. to
break my vow in behalf of the ex-emperor." This answer was too clear
to permit of any mistake as to his sentiments. "General," said the
president, "we acknowledge no King Louis XVIII., or an ex-emperor,
but his majesty the emperor and king, driven from France, which is his
kingdom, by violence and treason."

"'"Excuse me, gentlemen," said the general; "you may not acknowledge
Louis XVIII., but I do, as he has made me a baron and a field-marshal,
and I shall never forget that for these two titles I am indebted to his
happy return to France."

"'"Sir," said the president, rising with gravity, "be careful what you
say; your words clearly show us that they are deceived concerning you
in the Island of Elba, and have deceived us! The communication has been
made to you in consequence of the confidence placed in you, and which
does you honor. Now we discover our error; a title and promotion attach
you to the government we wish to overturn. We will not constrain you to
help us; we enroll no one against his conscience, but we will compel you
to act generously, even if you are not disposed to do so."

"'"You would call acti