The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)

predicted, and only partially recalled them when the conversation the next morning at the Club turned on the disturbed state of the capital

e case in revolutionary struggles, where, at the outset, none ever contemplates the extent to which the mischief may reach. The proclamation of the "Ordinances," as they were called, had produced a great excitement in Paris. Groups of men in every street were gathered around some one reading aloud the violent commentaries of the public papers; thoughtful and stern faces were met at every corner; a look of expectancy-an expression that seemed to say, What next?-was perceptible on

followers? In what way should they attempt it? The troops in and around Paris numbered something over forty thousand, commanded by an old Marshal of the Empire, now the trustiest adherent of royalty. The days of Mirabeaus and Robespierres and Dantons had passed away; nor were these times in which men would like to recall the reigns of terror and the guillotine." So they reasoned-or, if the phrase be too strong, so they talked-who lounged on soft-cushioned

science, and the amount of resistance a half-armed populace can offer to a regular force is as much a matter of certainty as a mathematical theorem. At that period, h

hed the residence of any in authority, venturing on the more daring cry of "Down with the Ordinances!" The same tone of haughty contempt pervaded the "Club." Young men of fashion, little given to the cares of political life,

ss, air, and appearance went, no ignoble representatives of the class they belonged to. The proud and haughty Spaniard, the fierce-eyed, daring-looking Pole, the pale, intellectual-faced Italian, the courteous Rus

motely, to this confounded question again," cried Count Gardoni,

a Polish prince, with a Russia

n who played high; and the game soon assumed the grave character that so invariably accompanies large wagers. Wonderfully little passed, except the terms of the game itself. Gambling is a jealous passion, and never admits its votaries to wander

oung French Count de Nevers, as the othe

; "this is my seventeenth night of losi

prince, who had just assumed "the bank." "You sha

t I'll not

thousand francs,"

," said Martin, as a wild, hoarse shout f

n is fined!" cried sev

gentlemen," said he, laughing. "I was just ab

Pole, as the loud detonation of sma

so fined," cri

ourt," said the Pole, throwin

ay change my luck." And with this gambler'

as before. Martin, however, was now a winner, ev

never turns her back on him who shows constancy. See Martin, now; by t

n Italian, flinging his

said Nevers. "I reserve

us all to supper!"

n?" said Martin; "here,

ll means,"

or who knows but we shall catch a glimpse of th

e and attacked him. He replied, and the controversy grew warm; so much so, that many gathered around them to listen, amongst whom I saw the Duc de Guiche, Prince du Saulx, and the Austrian Minister. Nothing could be more perfect than her manner,-calm, without any effrontery; a

p you allude to?"

eration of the superior merits of his order,

sion,' said she; 'but I scarcely t

en do you me

the energy of a tigress in her look. Pardié! at that m

d the colloquy. As the noise increased, a low, deep roar, like the sound of distant thunder, could be heard, and the Pole cried out

a serious one, after al

ions of infantry, ten thousand sabres, and eight batteries; are they no

arp report of fire-arms, quite close to the windows, was followed

aid the Pole; "grape and cavalry charges to clear the streets,

e leader,-think of nothing but him. Once you show that, whatever may be the fate of others, death must be

fare," said De Nevers, haughtily; "victory i

ainst such an enemy should be shot by a court-martial. We have, I believe, every man of us

pened, and a young man, with dress all disordere

ed one, "how came you to

e Russian, as he took up the tattered remains

and then suddenly came a rush of the people from behind, which terrified my horse, and set him off at speed; the uproar increasing, the affrighted animal dashed madly onward, the crowd flying on every side, when suddenly a bullet whizzed past my head, cutting my hat in two; a second, at the same instant, struck my h

nged," said the Pole, "and the speed at which you drove was believed

t I looked for more steadiness and composure from the troops, while I certainly di

mocrat," said one. "The next thing we sh

one in such company as inflicted all this

rlandaise,' Martin," cried one. "Already i

t it seems La Henderson became quite a Charlotte Corday this evening, and talked more

waiter, entering hastily. "The street is occupied by

dispersing, then?"

ck the troops from the Quai Voltaire, a

Pole. "If the troops permit this

said Massingbred. "All the high daring and spir

y because he has lost a cab-hor

h more equanimity,-I know that," whispered Massingbre

me?" said the Pol

I do," was

muttered the Pole, i

aid Massingbred, smiling at the o

,-to-morrow mo

he waiter entered to say that the house must be cleared a

ant you to do me a favor. Let us make our escape by the Rue de Gre

ou and Czernavitz?" asked Mart

ies which requires an exchang

or it. He can hit a fran

s it. He's as brave as a lion, and it is my confo

" muttered Martin,

a fellow who cannot conceal his emotions,

what of

schief I shall know it, and se

with considerable astonishment that he now heard him avow this deadly determination with all the composure that could vouch for its sincerity. There was, however, little time to think of these things. The course they were driven to follow, by by-streets and alleys, necessitated a long and difficult way. The great thoroughfares which they crossed at intervals we

in. "The sight of the eight-pounders a

e their movements, arrange the modes of attack or defence, can measure accurately the means of resistance opposed to them, and, above all, understand how to be led,-something far more difficult than it seems. In my good borough of Oughterard,-or

ubstantial grievance that

the world has witnessed have arisen from causes remote from State Government; a deficient harvest, a dear loaf, the liberty of the Press invaded,-a tyranny always

iers, the formidable array filling the entire "Place," and showing by their air and attitude their readiness for any eventuality.

"that you are close prisoners now. My orders are th

Government has enemies in this aristocra

" was the brief answer, a

morning," said Massingbred, as he followed Martin up the spacious stair

Martin. As he spoke, they had reached the door, opening whic

and in a voice of deep meaning

then?" as

, in a low voice. "I was his guest once, and I 'm not sure that I

uld understand it. My only feeling was one of gratitude to you for saving me from being member for t

rather walk up to one of those nine-pounders t

t myself till you leave this. Remember what the Captain told us; we are prisoners

looking at his watch; "and we a

in; "and do you throw yourself on the bed there, an

t I stand most in need of;

one with his own thoughts. And now, as he closed his eyes to affect sleep, it w

ded fools, thinking more of a miserable interchange of weak sarcasms than of the high destinies of a whole nation? And it was my fault," added he to himself; "I had no right to reproach him with a calamity hard enough to bear, even without its being a reproach. What a strange thing is life, after all!" thought h