Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-02-28

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was, in this instance, time.
your majesty" said he, advancing
and speaking rapidly, "may I request
your immediate attendance in your
cabinet for matter of the utmost con-
sequence-a matter which will not per-
NIT of moments delay?"
The emperor turned in surprise and
frowned. Chavarri looked up sullenly
and silently, and made suspicious
movement toward his clock. With the
rapidity Of thought, Fouche changed
his plans.
"Your majesty" said he, loudly and
more rapidly than before, "Lady Isa-
dore Chavarri has just been arrested
near the cemetery of Montmartre,
charged with capital crime. She has
already been tried by special tribunal
and condemned to death. l come to
implore your majesty to grant her
pardon"
AS he spoke he fixed an intent,
searching gaze upon the Spaniard
This time the bolt had struck. The
old mans tawny face was taking Oh q
sickly hue, and his limbs trembled.
"This is a most unusual proceeding"
said the emperor, in amazement
"Who is this lady, and what is the
nature Of her crime?'
Fouche, bent double with suspense,
still keeping his eye riveted upon the
tawny, changing face, spoke almost
imploringly:-
"You have trusted me before, sire
beseech you, trust me now! Ask
me no questions, but write the
pardon"
There was an instant Of silence,
broken only by the ticking and low
music of the clock. The second
hand was measuring off the sixtieth
minute with rapid, steady sweep.
Almost unconsciously Fouche drew a
pistol from his pocket, cooked it un-
observed, and, with a face like that
of corpse, was raising it to fire,
with a cry to the emperor on his
lips, when Chavarri, whose mind
seemed torn by contending emotions,
bent suddenly over his mechanism,
touched spring concealed in the rear
of the tower, and instantly the
whole complicated machinery Of the
clock stopped with sudden metallic
clang. The music ceased, the autom-
atoms paused, standing like statues,
each in his place, the mimic EN-
peror stretched out his hand for the
crown of the Caesars, and the great
bell in the tower poised midway in
its swing for the twelfth and final
stroke.
"Parbleul" muttered Fouche,
pocketing the pistol, and wiping the
perspiration from his brow. Allow
me, monsieur" he said, advancing to
the table, ITO inspect this most Won
derful specimen Of art"
"It is so very delicate, monsieur"
said Chavarri, hurriedly, still keeping
his finger on the secret spring, and
warning Fouche off with his unen-
gagged hand.
Here is the pardon" said the en-
peror, affiying his signature to
paper as he spoke. Il hold you,
Fouche, responsible for the results.
Well, what next?"
"Our worthy friends clock is
broken, it appears" said Fouche.
Broken, SIRE" said the Spaniard,
"and with it the plans of a lifetime
And" he added, casting down his
eyes, and speaking in a querulous,
broken voice, "sincc, when ones hopes
are broken one cares but little where
he goes, 1 wish passport to leave
France"
Fouche took up the cue immedi-
ately.
81 have to request, SIRE" said he,
"that you also make out a full and
free pardon for the accomplice Of
the Lady Isadore Chavarri--her
father, Don Monsen Chavarri, of
Seville.
The emperor smiled bitterly. His
active mind had already compassed
the situation, and without word.
either of eXpostulation or inquiry, he
seized a pen and wrote. Then,
having finished and signed the double
pardon, he slowly advanced with it
in his hand.
"Our friend here" said he, doubt
less knows where these persons are
to be found, and to him l coniide
these papers"
The old man, still jealousy keeping
his hand on the springs of the mechan-
ism. read aloud:
"a full permission to Don Monsen
and Isadore Chavarri to leave France
Immediately, without hindrance or
question:
add" said he, "'and alive"
"You would have made a good
diplomatist," said Napoleon, as he
made the required addition.
Chavarri hesitated for a moment
removed his hand lingeringly from
the spring, and, bowling his head,
glided toward the door, Just upon
the threshold he turned in sudden