VICTOR DCCANGE. 



his senses an effect analogous to that which the first beam of returning light, 

 after six long months of darkness, produces upon the sorrowing eyes of the 

 inhabitants of the Polar Circle." 



While the Cure is entertaining them, news of their arrival is 

 brought to Jean Phol, who hastens to invite them to the chateau, 

 where he proves to them, logically, that he is in their debt to the 

 amount of some thirty thousand francs, being the principal and accu- 

 mulated interest of a sum left by one of the predecessors of the 

 Marquis, in the hands of his grandfather, and which he was bound 

 by oath to restore. By this act of generosity on the part of Jean 

 Phol, the Marquis and his family are established in their farm ad- 

 joining the chateau. A complete harmony ensues between mar- 

 quisses, merchants, emigrants, Huguonots, and priests, all living like 

 true republicans, and calling each other citizens. This ease and 

 prosperity affords leisure to the Marquis to meditate over his favourite 

 projects. He still dreams of recovering his chateau, and of restoring 

 the Bourbons. Time passes away in the manufacture of intrigues; 

 and, at length, the sailing of the expedition of Pichegru and Georges, 

 promises a certainty of the assassination of the First Consul. The 

 Marquis sets off for Paris, after pressing the hand of the Cure, and 

 humming to himself, with a triumphant air, " I shall have my 

 castle." He reaches Paris in time to witness the arrest of the con- 

 spirators : he is petrified with horror, but had he known that the 

 police were equally well acquainted with all his movements and 

 designs, as with those of the sufferers, he would have had much 

 greater reason for alarm. 



" There was at that time a minister more dexterous and cunning than all 

 the conspirators that ever did or will exist ; for this minister had himself a 

 share in every conspiracy : he formed them at first, for he was faithful like 

 the Marquis, and then he disclosed them, when they were not succeeding to 

 his wishes. This was profound sagacity and superfine diplomacy. Now 

 this minister said to the Consul, ' We have got a Marquis of the finest species, 

 who conspires and trifles who will kiss your hand and betray you. He is 

 quite a model, a type let us catch him. He would be a treasure in a palace ; 

 he would shew the direction of the wind better than fifty weathercocks, and 

 would not cost so much as an ambassador.' The Consul was amused with 

 the suggestion ; he laughed at it he should rather have been shocked. 

 The next day the Marquis was summoned before the minister. The 

 day following he was presented to the Consul, who said to him, while 

 he tried to suppress his laughter ' You are a Marquis. I am glad 

 of it. You have served the King ; I esteem fidelity. You will attend 

 my levee. Call at the Treasury.' The Marquis flew thither. On the day 

 following the Marquis strutted through Paris as proud as a peacock, dis- 

 coursing in the coffee-houses and the Palais Royal in this strain : ' Sirs, the 

 Republic needs a master. France demands an Emperor, and Buonaparte is 

 the man of destiny.' In fact, eight months afterwards Buonaparte was an 

 Emperor ; the Marquis was a Chamberlain ; Mr. "Vincent Jean Phol 

 posted to Paris with the view of obtaining through the influence of the 

 Chamberlain Marquis, the title of Imperial for his factory ; and Madame 

 Jean Phol said to Julie. ' My dearest friend, you see how much time has 

 done towards drawing closer certain distances, and in dissipating obstacles 

 and prejudices. Our fortune is still much greater than yours ; but the 

 Marquis is at Court; he may be exalted by favours; his protection may 



