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"Or of wisdo; "the greatest captains of antiquity a pebbles into the ocean--see Plutarch's life of Scipio Africanus"

M de Blacas pondered deeply between the confident monarch and the truthful minister Villefort, who did not choose to reveal the whole secret, lest another should reap all the benefit of the disclosure, had yet coreatest uneasiness

"Well, well, Dandre," said Louis XVIII, "Blacas is not yet convinced; let us proceed, therefore, to the usurper's conversion" The minister of police bowed

"The usurper's conversion!"and Dandre, who spoke alternately, like Virgil's shepherds "The usurper converted!"

"Decidedly, ood principles Tell him all about it, baron"

"Why, this is the way of it," said the ravest air in the world: "Napoleon lately had a review, and as two or three of his old veterans expressed a desire to return to France, he gave the' These were his oords, of that I am certain"

"Well, Blacas, what think you of this?" inquired the king triu for a moment from the voluminous scholiast before hireatly deceived or I am; and as it is iuardianship of the safety and honor of your majesty, it is probable that I aht advise, your ate the person of whoe your ly, duke; under your auspices I will receive any person you please, but youBaron, have you any report more recent than this dated the 20th February--this is the 4th of March?"

"No, sire, but I a one; it may have arrived since I left my office"

"Go thither, and if there be none--well, well," continued Louis XVIII, "hed facetiously

"Oh, sire," replied the minister, "we have no occasion to invent any; every day our desks are loaded withfrom hosts of people who hope for some return for services which they seek to render, but cannot; they trust to fortune, and rely upon some unexpected event in soo"; said Louis XVIII, "and re for you"