While I am hesitating, I hear the step of a horse, tired and yet urged to its utmost.

It is Dormer Colville, this faithful friend, who is from Paris in thirty-six hours to warn us.

He shall tell his story himself." "There is not much to tell," said Colville, in a hollow voice.

He looked round for a chair and sat down rather abruptly.

"Louis Bonaparte is absolute master of France; that is all.