alarm yourself; you are among men
of honor who will use every means to convince you before resorting to
the last extremity, but as you have said, you are among conspirators,
you are in possession of our secret, and you must restore it to us."
A significant silence followed these words, and as the general did not
reply,--"Close the doors," said the president to the door-keeper.

"'The same deadly silence succeeded these words. Then the general
advanced, and making a violent effort to control his feelings,--"I have
a son," said he, "and I ought to think of him, finding myself among
assassins."

"'"General," said the chief of the assembly, "one man may insult
fifty--it is the privilege of weakness. But he does wrong to use his
privilege. Follow my advice, swear, and do not insult." The general,
again daunted by the superiority of the chief, hesitated a moment; then
advancing to the president's desk,--"What is the form, said he.

"'"It is this:--'I swear by my honor not to reveal to any one what I
have seen and heard on the 5th of February, 1815, between nine and
ten o'clock in the evening; and I plead guilty of death should I ever
violate this oath.'" The general appeared to be affected by a nervous
tremor, which prevented his answering for some moments; then, overcoming
his manifest repugnance, he pronounced the required oath, but in so low
a tone as to be scarcely audible to the majority of the members, who
insisted on his repeating it clearly and distinctly, which he did.

"'"Now am I at liberty to retire?" said the general. The president rose,
appointed three members to accompany him, and got into the carriage with
the general after bandaging his eyes. One of those three members was
the coachman who had driven them there. The other members
silently dispersed. "Where do you wish to be taken?" asked the
president.--"Anywhere out of your presence," replied M. d'Epinay.
"Beware, sir," replied the president, "you are no longer in the
assembly, and have only to do with individuals; do not insult them
unless you wish to be held responsible." But instead of listening, M.
d'Epinay went on,--"You are still as brave in your carriage as in your
assembly because you are still four against one." The president stopped
the coach. They were at that part of the Quai des Ormes where the steps
lead down to the river. "Why do you stop here?" asked d'Epinay.

"'"Because, sir," said the president, "you have insulted a man, and
that man