In the Name of Liberty

s. Each leg was of a different shape, rudely fastened to the main body, which, despite threatening fissures, had still survived by the aid of several hitches of

f, bulged and cracked, while in one spot it had even receded so far that

y tried its strength with a shake. Then he seated himself and slowly drew up both legs. The bed still r

oor so impetuously that the bed protested with a warning creak. His first movement was to the window, where an eager glance showed the opposite room vacant. More leisurely he turned to a survey of his horizon, where in the distance the roofs, of an equal height, rolled away in high, sloping billows of brown tile dotted with flash

but the stairways, as well as the courts, were silent and empty, for at tha

r, drifting to every knot of discussion, avaricious for every crumb of rumor. Hawkers of ballads and pamphlets sought to slip their wares into the young fellow's hand with

efore numberless engravings representing the Fall of the Ba

ly through the crowds or filling the cafés to thunder out their denunciations of tyran

s are burning t

exterminate the patriots by

Antoine is to be d

and the advent of the Republic; an exhibitor of trick-dogs advertised a burlesque on the return of the royal family from Versailles. At a marionette thea

to laughter or anger. Swayed by the infection, his lips moved involuntarily with a hundred impetuous thoughts. In this era that promised so much to youth, which demanded its ardor, its enthusiasm, and its faith, he longed to emerge from obscurity. For youth is the period of la

rabant, disciple of the Revolution of Ideas, was bewildered by the might of this torrent. It excited

ling to the surface, yet here in the cafés men discussed charmingly on theory and principle; nor could he fancy, fresh fro

y his imagination and his ambition, he forgot his emotions. Whereas in the mob he had felt himself equal to the martyr, he now breathed an air that aroused his powers. They discussed the fr

ursion to the Tuileries, to the Place de la Grève, the Place de

finable melancholy descended over him: the melancholy of the city that affects the young and the stranger. Barabant's spirits, quick to soar, momentari

e of a flower-girl. She was tall, dark, and lithe, and, though without any particular charm of form, she had such an unusual grace in her movements th

, buy my

earing before the frank amusement of the girl. This time he did not turn away so carelessly. The face was attractive despite its irregularity, full of force

toyen, a

, and diving into his purse, at

s more my need, citoy

sement this search after the elusive coi

he prov

g the patronizing

N

eturned, with a smile, and her glance trave

ed. "Parisian

g chap; keep your sous; when your purse is fuller, remember me." And thrusting back his proffered m

ources. He chose one where the dinner consisted of a thick soup the filling qualities of which he knew-a purée of beans and a piece of cheese. It was still somewhat earlier than the dinner-hour, and he finished his meal

oices, watching the play of pickpockets and dupes, until suddenly in the crowd a figure of unusual oddity caught his attention: a tall, military man with a cocke

dy was lank, the legs long,-out of all proportion, and so thin that they seemed rather a pair of pliab

f tricolor or a group of shrill orators sounding their eloquence to the eager mass. The inspection ended, a guttural exclamation or a whistle escaping the lips showed that the impression had been registered beh

addy Lo

out of their re

en Sci

zen S

Pique l

at the crowd, who never laugh long at those who laugh with them, returned to their occupation with grunts of approval. Still there remained to be reveal

the infectious acclamation; but at the very next turn, perceiving a mountebank's counter presided over by a pretty citizeness, he paused and repeated the salute with equal vigor. Now, though the tribute to a pretty face could not

abant followed, in time to see the lean figure mount a chance staircase, ascending whi

mained among the spectators. The tall stranger had joined a group in the mi

ner, send me the Ci

oom," took up another, "t

another, with careless scorn,

and angry, realizing that he had stumbled into t

ce the royal power had been defied. Although the café was not accessible to the mob, and was evidently of a certain clientèle,

ing control of his temp

. Let us be frank: the present condition of affairs is an a

haos!" "Bravo

ugh. Either king or revolution: the two cannot exist. W

uts and blows, a confusion of bodies before his eyes, and babel let loose. In the midst of it he felt himself suddenly enveloped in a pair of wiry arms and dragged through the mêlée. He struggled, but the grip that held him was not to be shaken. Leaving behind the shouting, they p

u preach the Republic, select a Sans-Culotte audience and not a

s clothes, crestfallen,

sement gave place to one of reflectiveness. "Dame! are

, "the masses are done with the kin

wn thoughts, before he again questioned him: "And the Revolution: do you hear such

is for more ra

the matter from his mind. He looked him over aga

iasm than fr

laughed

you counting

remaine

discre

to shift the inquiry,

doing in a café

s of tables. Leave me my ways. Do you think if I were an aristocrat I'd have taken the pains to save you? Come, young m

and then, lest he should seem to have relented

isted. "What would you say to a chance to see that fine eloqu

udden delight that the other laughing

He stopped suddenly. "There are many degrees of Republicans nowadays. Does your eloquence run in the line

din," Barab

cted a moment. "

topped, as by habit of caution. "N

38." He drew out two letters. "I ha

the o

Ma

with a sudden cooling. "A stron

as though to reveal a confidence, while a smile struggled to his lips. But in the end, r

aid: "Very well; I'll be around to-morrow night. Try your hand at a polemic or two. Have you

one a lit

used. "You will be

heel, but immed

One word

el

e steeples. Take my advice: renou

e in this age than l

houlders. Then repeating to himself Barabant's last response,

delighted as though he had just bee