The commissary who received him was the same one who had spoken to him the previous evening at the opera.

A doctor was called, and gave the best verdict of monomania that ever sent a man to Charenton.

All this was done politely and pleasantly, without a word which could put the Colonel on his guard or give him a suspicion of the fate held in reserve for him.

He merely found the ceremonial rather long and peculiar, and prepared on the spot several well-sounding sentences, which he promised himself the honor of repeating to the Emperor.
At last he was permitted to resume his route.

The hack had been kept waiting; the gentleman-usher relit his pipe, said three words to the driver, and seated himself at the left of the Colonel.