"Being partial to onions, and taking that liberty in Mr.Endymion's absence, knowing his dislike of the effluvium--" Such are the pitfalls of a guilty conscience on the one hand, and, on the other, of being unexpectedly clever.
An hour later, at dinner, Narcissus was informed that the drawings had been conveyed to M.Raoul, who, doubtless, would return them with hints for correction.
"But had he nothing to say at the time ?" "For my part," said Endymion, sipping his wine, "I addressed but one sentence to him; and Dorothea, I daresay, exchanged but half a dozen.
Considering the shortness of the interview, and that our mission--at least, our ostensible mission"-- Endymion glanced at Dorothea, with a smile at his own _finesse_--"was to carry him news of his release, you will admit--" "Oh--ah!--to be sure; I had forgotten the release," muttered Narcissus, and was resigned.
"By the way," Dorothea asked, after a short pause, "what is happening at 'The Dogs' tonight?
All the windows are lit up in the Orange Room.
I saw it as I stepped out of the chaise." "Yes; I have to tell you"-- Narcissus turned towards his brother-- "that during your absence another of the prisoners has found his discharge--the old Admiral." "Dead ?" "He died this morning: but you knew, of course, it was only a question of days.

Rochambeau was with him at the last.

He has shown great devotion." "You have made all arrangements, of course ?" For Narcissus was Acting Commissary in his brother's absence.
"I rode in at once on hearing the news, which Zeally brought before daylight; and found the Lodge"-- this was a Masonic Lodge formed among the prisoners, and named by them _La Paix Desiree_--"anxious to pay him something more than the full rites.

With my leave they have hired the Orange Room, and turned it into a _chapelle ardente_; and there, I believe, he is reposing now, poor old fellow." "He has no kith nor kin, I understand." "None.

He was never married, and his relatives went in the Terror-- the most of them (so Rochambeau tells me) in a single week." Dorothea had heard the same story from the General and from Raoul.