But I will avow to your Highness, I was unaware, at the date of that decree, of the magnitude of the revolutionary movement; nor did any of us, I think, imagine that such a territorial army was a part of the republican proposals.' 'It was ?' asked Otto.

'Strange! Upon what fancied grounds ?' 'The grounds were indeed fanciful,' returned the Baron.

'It was conceived among the leaders that a territorial army, drawn from and returning to the people, would, in the event of any popular uprising, prove lukewarm or unfaithful to the throne.' 'I see,' said the Prince.

'I begin to understand.' 'His Highness begins to understand ?' repeated Gondremark, with the sweetest politeness.

'May I beg of him to complete the phrase ?' 'The history of the revolution,' replied Otto dryly.