Traitor and True

ing, perhaps because it was summer-time, and perhaps, also, because it was supper-time for all in Paris from his Splendid Majesty down to the lowest who had any supper to eat,

y, was occupying the time during which he scarcely ever had a dem

house, and that one of good fame in a populous neighbourhood, did not have some customers beneath its roof at every hour of the da

e and excitement of life departed, and which seem to those who have lived after them to have been so full of a strong, masterfully pulsating, full-blooded existence, perfumed with all that goes to make life one long romance--these men might have appeared to be anything except sober citizens or honest bourgeois carrying on steady, reputable callings. For, on their faces, in their garb, even in their wicked-looking side-weapons which now hung peacefully on the wall close by where they sat, there was an indescribable something which proclaimed that they were not men bringing up families decently and honestly. Not me

n has set and, ere long, every bell in Paris will be proclaiming that it is nine o'clock. If he comes not soon, there will be

, remember what I have already told you, treat neither of them too much en m

e are no longer officer

is, seeing that he is actual first in comm

oming here to-night. That command

other power, the other

ucceed, Fl

Mai, exclaimed. "Cadédis! 'tis to be hoped so. O

stood; "or there," directing an eye towards the vicinity of the Louvre, close by which was the Place du Ca

is too much at stake; our precious lives principally. Afterwa

et, à-propos of hers; where is

loves. Being a woman, neglect on one side and ill-treatment on the other has made her love grow stronger. It does tha

ve; for him? Does

r's recently pointing finger, "or that," imitating his recently directed glance, "claims him it will claim her too. Should he e

atively, as though, perhaps in better days, he had on

lue it. If he were forced to sigh and moan f

er do that fo

end, die with him if he dies 'there' or 'there'," again imitating, saturninely, the other; "or, if may be, die for him. But, if he succeeds, if he arrives at that which he hop

sing. "A woman's love, a true woman's love, is w

ming. We shall hear of our first employment. It will not be a pleasant journey, but we shall be away from all plotti

light cloak thrown over one arm, since the evening had not yet become cool enough for it to be worn, and heard the end of the scabb

so he was one well used to command. For there was in him an indescribable yet easily recognised air of command, a look, an air, that told plainly enough that this man had in his life given more orders, with the certainty of t

tly the principal of the two, welcomed the Captain La Truaumont more en camarade than the other; more familiarly indeed, as though feeling that, in absolute truth, he was his equal. The latter rose with some sort of quiet dignity which, while expressing the fact

pped, their wives will be putting the children to bed, they will be coming forth to drink their flask and discuss their neig

e can overhear or intrude! What say you, noble captain? You know the place and

will be back by then from making his last arrangements for the departure of that ot

ry?" Fleur de Mai exclaimed, slapping his somewhat mel

. Our horses are in their stables, our clothes on our backs; our best friends," with a glance of his eye--that glance w

asant ride through the sunniest provinces of France;

well," grunted Fleu

ou set out, replenished with them when you arrive at your destination, an

said, "they are not likely to get. Therefore we are content. We will guard the noble lady valiantly. If

aid quietly, as now Fleur de Mai made a s

k at La Truaumont. "What other? Any of our 'friends' by

e de compagnie of the illustrious traveller; one who rides half-way upon the long journ

dropping his voice, Fleur de Mai a

and he knows no more of the 'Great Venture' than he who is the object of t

exclaimed together, while Fleur de M

me little emphasis, "unpaid, unhired and untrammelled. He can turn back when half of the first portion of the journey is completed, or, arrived at

n all the same," Fl

y. His mother is

men said together. After w

ht of that. Yet he will be there as well as we when the il

diot. No

mes to meet her. That other

w, come. Let us to the 'emissary's'. The Chief will be

been consuming his master's wine--he being accustomed to trust no one whom he did not know to be an honest bourgeois o

t was in that street that there dwelt the man who had, but a few moments before, been spoken of as Van den Enden and the "emissary." A man who was as much