ng generously, knowing your conspiracy and
not informing against you, that is what I should call becoming your
accomplice. You see I am more candid than you."'"

"Ah, my father!" said Franz, interrupting himself. "I understand now why
they murdered him." Valentine could not help casting one glance towards
the young man, whose filial enthusiasm it was delightful to behold.
Villefort walked to and fro behind them. Noirtier watched the expression
of each one, and preserved his dignified and commanding attitude. Franz
returned to the manuscript, and continued:--

"'"Sir," said the president, "you have been invited to join this
assembly--you were not forced here; it was proposed to you to come
blindfolded--you accepted. When you complied with this twofold request
you well knew we did not wish to secure the throne of Louis XVIII., or
we should not take so much care to avoid the vigilance of the police. It
would be conceding too much to allow you to put on a mask to aid you
in the discovery of our secret, and then to remove it that you may
ruin those who have confided in you. No, no, you must first say if
you declare yourself for the king of a day who now reigns, or for his
majesty the emperor."

"'"I am a royalist," replied the general; "I have taken the oath of
allegiance to Louis XVIII., and I will adhere to it." These words were
followed by a general murmur, and it was evident that several of the
members were discussing the propriety of making the general repent of
his rashness.

"'The president again arose, and having imposed silence, said,--"Sir,
you are too serious and too sensible a man not to understand the
consequences of our present situation, and your candor has already
dictated to us the conditions which remain for us to offer you." The
general, putting his hand on his sword, exclaimed,--"If you talk of
honor, do not begin by disavowing its laws, and impose nothing by
violence."

"'"And you, sir," continued the president, with a calmness still more
terrible than the general's anger, "I advise you not to touch your
sword." The general looked around him with slight uneasiness; however
he did not yield, but calling up all his fortitude, said,--"I will not
swear."

"'"Then you must die," replied the president calmly. M. d'Epinay became
very pale; he looked round him a second time, several members of the
club were whispering, and getting their arms from under their cloaks.
"General," said the president, "do not