is XVIII pushed from him violently

rt has just confirmed?" M. de Blacas moved suddenly towards the baron, but the fright of the courtier pleaded for the forbearance of the statesman; and

tammered

giving way to an impulse of despair, was about to throw himself

speak?"

rtune! I am, indeed, to be pitie

ouis XVIII, "I com

Elba on the 26th February, and

Italy?" asked t

Gulf of Juan, two hundred and fifty leagues from Paris, on the 1st of March, and you only acquired this information to-day

ibable anger and alarm, and then drew himself up as if this sudde

Then they did not watch over this man. Who kn

to be accused of treason! Sire, we have all been blind, and the m

silent; then he continued, "Your pardon, sire," he said, bowing,

is. "You alone forewarned us of the evi

h; and it seems to me that if he ventured into the south, it

he minister; "but he is adv

hen advancing on Paris?" The minister of police maintain

, of Villefort. "Do you think it possi

e feeling in Dauphiné is quite the reverse of that in Prove

was well informed. And how

re," answered the

in information on that point? Of course it is of n

spatch simply stated the fact of the land

king. The minister bowed his head, and while a dee

advanced a step, and folded his arms ove

athers after five-and-twenty years of exile. I have, during those five-and-twenty years, spared no pains to understand the people of France and the interests

at the pressure of circumstances, however light a thing t

he midst of persons elevated by myself to places of honor, who ought to watch over me more carefully than over themselves,--for my fortune is theirs--bef

de Blacas wiped the moisture from his brow. Villefort smi

nd learn of that fall by telegraph! Oh, I would rather mount the scaffold of my brother, Louis XVI., than thus descend the stairc

mured the ministe

breathless, was listening to a conversation on which depended the destiny of a kingdom. "Ap

to learn secrets which that ma

or secret service money, to know what is going on at sixty leagues from the coast of France! Well, then, see, here is a gentleman who had none of these resources at his disposal--a gentleman, only a simple magistrate, who learned more than

evere in your suspicions. Any other than yourself would have considered the disclosure of M. de Villefort insignificant, or else dictated by ve

police minister, although he saw that Dandré was irrevocably lost. In fact, the minister, who, in the plenitude of his power, had been unable to unearth Napoleon's secret, might in despair at

d by that chance, like a good and devoted servant--that's all. Do not attribute to me more than I deserve, sire, that your majesty may never have occasion to recall the first opinion you have been pleased to form of me." The minister of police t

M. de Blacas and the minister of police, "I have no further occasion for you, and y

rely on the army; your majesty knows how every

nce to place in them. Yet, speaking of reports, baron, what have

suddenly pausing, he added, "Your pardon, sire, but my devotion to your majesty has made me forget

king; "you have to-day earned t

ation which I had obtained on this head, when your majesty's attention was attracted by the terri

onnection with that which occupies our attention, and the death of General Quesnel will, perhaps, put us

isappeared. An unknown person had been with him that morning, and made an appointment with him in the Rue Saint-Jacques; unfortunately, the general's valet, who was dressing his hair at the moment when the stranger entered, heard th

hom they believed attached to the usurper, but who was really entir

eplied Villefort. "But is

of the man who appointe

ack?" said

ore at his button-hole the rosette of an officer of the Legion of Honor. Yesterday a person exactly corresponding with this description was followed, but he was lost sight of at the corner of the Rue de la Jussienne and the Rue Coq-Héron."

nel, who would have been so useful to us at this moment, has been murdered, his assassins, Bonapartists or not, shall be cruell

have disposed of the whole matter when they say, 'A murder has been committed,' and

I trust, be amply satisfie

must be fatigued after so long a journey; go and rest. Of course you

lighted at the Hotel de Madr

have se

traight to the

ill see hi

k not,

t made without a motive; "I forgot you and M. Noirtier are not on the best terms possible, an

wards me is a recompense which so far surpasses my u

oss of the Legion of Honor which he usually wore over his blue coat, near the cross of St. Louis, above the ord

your majesty mistakes; th

other. Blacas, let it be your care to see that the brevet is made out and sent to M. de Villefo

e what are the orders with which

you are not able to serve me here in Paris, you ma

, bowing, "in an hour I s

ries are short), do not be afraid to bring yourself to my recol

llefort, as they left the Tuileries, "you en

oking about him for a hackney-coach. One passed at the moment, which he hailed; he gave his addres

sked to have his breakfast brought to him. He was about to begin his repast when the sound of the

here already?" said the you

, "what is it?--Who ra

o will not sen

t send in his name! Wha

s to spea

me

es

mention

es

t of pers

a man of ab

t or

r own heig

or f

th black eyes, black

ed?" asked Vil

toned up close, decorated

id Villefort,

ering the door, "what a great deal of ceremony! Is it the custom in M

"then I was not deceived; I

ane in a corner and his hat on a chair, "allow me to say, my dear Gérar

. The servant quitted the apartment