a Saint-Cyr."

"Then you were not killed at Mortagne?"

"He came very near being killed," said Madame du Gua, quickly; "my son
received two balls in--"

"Where are your papers?" asked Hulot, not listening to the mother.

"Do you propose to read them?" said the young man, cavalierly; his blue
eye, keen with suspicion, studied alternately the gloomy face of the
commandant and that of Mademoiselle de Verneuil.

"A stripling like you to pretend to fool me! Come, produce your papers,
or--"

"La! la! citizen, I'm not such a babe as I look to be. Why should I
answer you? Who are you?"

"The commander of this department," answered Hulot.

"Oh, then, of course, the matter is serious; I am taken with arms in my
hand," and he held a glass full of Bordeaux to the soldier.

"I am not thirsty," said Hulot. "Come, your papers."

At that instant the rattle of arms and the tread of men was heard in the
street. Hulot walked to the window and gave a satisfied look which made
Mademoiselle de Verneuil tremble. That sign of interest on her part
seemed to fire the young man, whose face had grown cold and haughty.
After feeling in the pockets of his coat he drew forth an elegant
portfolio and presented certain papers to the commandant, which the
latter read slowly, comparing the description given in the passport with
the face and figure of the young man before him. During this prolonged
examination the owl's cry rose again; but this time there was no
difficulty whatever in recognizing a human voice. The commandant at once
returned the papers to the young man, with a scoffing look.

"That's all very fine," he said; "but I don't like the music. You will
come with me to headquarters."

"Why do you take him there?" asked Mademoiselle de Verneuil, in a tone
of some excitement.

"My good lady," replied the commandant, with his usual grimace, "that's
none of your business."

Irritated by the tone and words of the old soldier, but still more at
the sort of humiliation offered to her in presence of a man who was
under the influence of her charms, Mademoiselle de Verneuil rose,
abandoning the simple and modest manner she had hitherto adopted; her
cheeks glowed and her eyes shone as she said in a quiet tone but with a
trembling voice: "Tell me, has this young man met all the requirements
of the law?"

"Yes--apparently," said Hulot ironically.

"Then, I desire that you will leave him, _apparently_, alone," she said.
"Are you afraid he