of the ladies-in-waiting to the Queen, that we might have sure and swift intelligence of what passes within the palace.  By the greatest good fortune I heard the following day, through Madame de Flahaut, of the illness and withdrawal of one of the Queen’s attendants, and the next evening at court, having the opportunity of saying a few words in private to her Majesty, I besought her to give the vacant post to your wife.  I intimated to her that the appointment was of the greatest importance to herself and the King, and being, doubtless, impressed by the earnestness of my manner, she promised to grant my request, though she had intended to leave the place vacant, saying bitterly that ’twere best she should draw no other into the circle of danger which surrounded her.  I had the satisfaction of learning yesterday that the appointment had been made, and already your wife is installed as a lady-in-waiting at the Tuileries.

“Under cover of letters to her—­which, I think, will be more likely to escape patriotic curiosity than any others—­you will keep the King and his friends here in Paris informed of your movements and the progress of affairs, and through her we can have intimate knowledge of what passes in the palace, so that they can hardly fail to know when to take the decisive step.  Are you willing to undertake this difficult and dangerous enterprise?” asked Mr. Morris, looking at the young man.

“With all my heart,” replied Calvert.  “Were I not interested in the cause itself, I would still remember the graciousness of their Majesties when I was presented to them, and hold it a privilege to serve them.”

“You will see them again to-morrow evening and can assure them yourself of your fidelity.  I think they have no doubt of it now, nor ever will.  Through Monsieur de Favernay I arranged for a private audience with the King and Queen for to-morrow—­you see, I counted on you as on myself, and felt assured that you would come at the earliest moment, Ned.  At that interview I will again present you to their Majesties, and then I will withdraw definitely from all connection with this affair, leaving you to lay the plan before the King and Queen, and to carry it through should it be agreed to by their Majesties.”

The two gentlemen sat up until far into the night discussing the enterprise, Calvert making many valuable suggestions, and entering so heartily into the arrangement that Mr. Morris began to take a more hopeful view of the situation than he had hitherto allowed himself to do.

On the following evening, about ten o’clock, Beaufort arrived hastily at the Legation with the information that all was in readiness for the private audience which Mr. Morris had requested, and the three gentlemen, entering a coach, were driven rapidly to the Tuileries.  They were introduced at a wicket on the little rue du Manege, and, passing up a stairway seldom used and through the Queen’s apartments, at length found themselves at the door of a small and private chamber of his Majesty’s suite.  At this door Beaufort tapped gently, and hearing an “Entrez!” from within, he pushed it open, and then, with a low bow, retired, leaving Mr. Morris and Calvert to enter by themselves.