Barlasch of the Guard

le feu s'expose a

nce

ng in the Frauengasse-was a Pole from Cracow. Men also whispered that he was in the confidence of the Emperor. But this

hind in Dantzig when t

e," he said, "somewhere near

ven a new meaning to human ambition seemed able to inspire not only Frenchm

r husband is more fortunate than I. He is sure of a staff appointment. He wil

e Desiree, always practical, was hurrying towards the marke

or at the announcement. She did not kn

. I was going towards the Frauengasse when I perceived you; to pay my respects to your father, to say a word to you. Come-you are smiling again. That is right.

d. He saw Desiree draw back. She was young, and of that clear fairness of skin which seems to let the thoughts out through the face so that any can read them. That which her face expressed at

ll two days ago, and that he is highly thought of i

Charles's friend, and in some sense his patron. For de Casimir held a high position in Dantzig. She was quite ready to like

to continue on her way; and de Casi

our father at h

I left," she answered, responding

moment in reflection, as if going over in

At the corner of the Frauengasse he lingered in the shadow of the linden trees, and while so doing saw Antoine Sebastian qu

ervant that Sebastian was out. After a moment's reflection,

t, in perfect German, "that I have news from Monsieur Darragon, the husband o

rave manner of asking adv

im with a twinkle of un

Fraulein

o me the honour of speaking to me f

e servant. "Come upstairs.

at all day doing nothing, glanced upwards through his overhanging eyebrows at the clink of sp

it was Desiree's. A writing-desk stood in the corner of the room. It was locked-and the lock was a good one. De Casimir was an observant man. He had time to make this observation, and to see that

d but little voice in the world's affairs. De Casimir's bow was deeper and more elaborate than

may have been because Desiree was not near, but de Casimir had never known until this moment how pretty Mathilde really was. There was something in her eyes, too, whi

ing that it is for the woman to measure the distance. On the few occasions of previous encounters, de Casimir had been empresse in his manner

nventions may, perhaps, be slightly relaxed. I was told that

begging her, it would seem, to help him out of

ill be sorry

excuse, I assure you. I only ask a moment to tell you that I have heard from Konigsberg that Charl

odd note of disappointment in her voice. De Casimir must have heard

ickness of one who must live by his wits among others existing on the same uncertain fare. He saw her flush, and again he hesitated as a w

you so much as he interests

k him to sit down. It would not have been etiquette in an age when women wer

e, Mademoiselle?" inquired de

haps

quick response. He laughed again and moved towards the door. Mathilde stood motionless, and although she

aid, looking at her over his

eyes asked why, but her s

les Darragon," he hazarded. "And you, Mademoiselle, conf

is weakened by love. He should be

o-

k in the world," s

the chance of a moment, which he was content to grasp without pausing to look ahead. Should there be di

ly, "that there may be good in a love that fights c

ude towards each other-not irreconcilable, the poets tell us, with love-but this is assur

aid she

his quick instinct telling him tha

Adventurer gave it the first place in their consideration, and de Casimir only aped his betters. Though oddly enough the only tw

" he added after a pause. "I have risked my

e her profile and the straight line of her lips. She too was the product of

s very keen, for not one woman in a thousand, even in those days, would have admitted that love was a det

uld have made, one would have thought, a very different sort of love had he wished, or had

stood resting on his sword-a le

t know, or did not care to know, that love, fa

ch she instantly repressed. The heart is quicke

the restraint-"will you help me now at the beginning of the

was modest i

Mademoiselle-to what height m

cerity in his voice, an

ou?" she asked in

have a special attraction for him. The human interest never fails to hold his attention. If I do well, he will know

ace, which was clean cut and hard like a

aps serve a friend, one who might otherwise run into danger-who may be in danger while you and I stand he

the pale profile whether M

for you?" asked she at length,

. You would even render him a service. For all the secret societies in Germany will not stop Napoleon. It is only God who

ot seem to be thin

d. "In the old days it did not matter. But now, in the Empire,

es responded. He made a step forward, and gen

id, and, turning abruptly

ook from his despatch-case a letter which he turned over thoughtfully in

"It will be as well that she shoul