Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-11-23

and was very curious to know all that could tell him about Bonaparte and Paris. In the end he promised to have my Aame restored to the list at once and to find me employment as soon as possible.
 "You must have found life desperate ly slow on board that Indiaman," he said, as l rose to take my leave. "How did you pass your time?"
 "Well, among other things learned Hindustani and Arabic"
 ''The devil you did! Why, you are just the man we want We are sending a naval expedition to the Mediterranean to help and encourage the Turks in their resistance to that villain Bonaparte; and knowledge of Turkish would be immensely useful. Idon't think any of our fellows know a word of it."
 II did not say Turkish. I said Ara bic"
 ''Well, it is the samo thing, I sup pose"
 Not exactly; and should not like it to be thought that because l have learned little Arabic I know Turk ish."
 Anyhow, the people out there talk | Arab4c-at least good many of them do. They are Mohammedans, and Ara bic is the language of the Koran"
 And the French of the east" 1 "Of course, it Is. Everybody knows that; and, as I said just now, you will be immensely useful. I suppose you would like to join the expedition?'
 "There is nothing should like bet ter"
 Well, will speak to the board, and | you shall hear from me in a few days Make good use of your run ashore-I don't think it will be long-and remem- Der me kindly to your father. Good day"
 Whereupon bowed myself out, great ly elated with my good fortune, and feeling that had once more fallen on my feet. My involuntary voyage in the Mercia had not been lost time, after all. only hoped that 1t would not occur to the under secretary to have my sup posed proficiency in Arabic put to the test, for had learned from Dr. Joyce the merest smattering of the language, and half of that I had forgotten. But, in order to be prepared for all con tingencies, I called at booksellers and ordered an Arabic grammar, to the study of which I resolved to give my nights and days until my next visit to the admiralty.
 This done, I took a hackney coach and went to see Mime. and Mile. de Gex at their lodgings in Fleur-dc-Lys court, Fetter lane.
 felt 1t as relief that I should not have to impart to the poor Indies the intelligence of their kinsman's death They had doubtless heard of it soon nfter Its occurrence, and by this time hoped, were reconciled to their be- reavement. It was not, however. like ly that they had heard of me. But the poor chcvalier's letter, which l had carefully preserved, would serve as an introduction, and, as I trusted, prove a passport to their favor.
 My knock was answered by a dis heveled maid with a dirty face, to whom handed my card with a request that she would present it to Nimc. de Lex and say that I waited her pleas ure-
 The maid tossed the hair from her eyes, gave mo a good stare, rubbed her noso with the back of her hand, and then, mutteripg: Wait a minute, ran upstairs.
 Returning presently, she said it was "all right" and took me to a room on the second floor, the door of which she opened, then shccrcd off without another word.
 The room, though scantily furnished, looked much better than the general appearance of the house had led me to expect There were flowers on the window-sill, and books on the table, and the curtains were pretty and dis posed with taste. found myself in the presence of two ladies' one of whom seemed to have been working at an em- broidery-framc, the other painting. Both as l went forward rose from their chairs.
 "Mr. Roy" said the elder lady, look ing at my card. "Is it possible that you are the English gentleman who so nobly tried to save my dear son, and stood by him to the last?"
 ''1 did my best, madame, but, as you have no doubt heard, l failed in my en- deavor. He refused to accept his life at the price of what he deemed dishonor, and died like soldier and gentle man."
 And, I trust, as Christian"
 ''Also as a Christian, madame. And he charged me to give you this letter. l am sorry that 1t has been so long de layed, but the fault is not mine"
 "A letter? Oh, Antoinette, he brings a letter from Henri! We thank you, sir, and might we-will you excuse us if we ask you to wait little moment while we read my poor sons last letter?'
 bowed, Mime. de Gex invited me to be seated, and then the two women, drawing near to each other, read the letter together silently and with many tears.
 Mime. de Gex was tall and of stately carriage, with white hair and sad yet noble and benign face. But how shall describe Antoinette? Like her mother In height, she was unlike her in fea- lures. Mme de Gex had been bru- nette; Antoinette was a blonde, with an oval face and features as clearly cut as those ct a Greek statue Her cheeks, though somewhat faded by London air and continual work, had not lost their peach-like bloom: her eyes were 1orue