CHAPTER X.

As the Cardinal was regaining his carriage on leaving Mrs. Giles' party, there was, about the entrance of the house, the usual gathering under such circumstances; some zealous linkboys marvellously familiar with London life, and some midnight loungers, who thus take their humble share of the social excitement, and their happy chance of becoming acquainted with some of the notables of the wondrous world of which they form the base. This little gathering, ranged at the instant into stricter order by the police to facilitate the passage of his Eminence, prevented the progress of a passenger, who exclaimed in an audible, but not noisy, voice, as if he were ejaculating to himself, 'À bas les prêtres: '

This exclamation, unintelligible to the

populace, was noticed only by the only person who understood it. The Cardinal, astonished at the unusual sound-for, hitherto, he had always found the outer world of London civil, or at least indifferent threw his penetrating glance at the passenger, and caught clearly the visage on which the lamplight fully shone. It was a square, sinewy face, closely shaven, with the exception of a small but thick moustache, brown as the well-cropped hair, and blending with the hazel eye; a calm, but determined countenance; clearly not that of an Englishman, for he wore ear-rings.

The carriage drove off, and the passenger, somewhat forcing his way through the clustering group, continued his course until he reached the cab-stand near the Marble Arch, when he engaged a vehicle and ordered to be driven to Leicester Square. That quarter of the town exhibits an animated scene towards the witching hour; many lights and much population, illuminated coffee-houses, the stir of a large

theatre, bands of music in the open air, and other sounds, most of them gay, and some festive. The stranger, whose compact figure was shrouded by a long fur cape, had not the appearance of being influenced by the temptation of amusement. As he stopped in the square and looked around him, the expression of his countenance was moody, perhaps even anxious. He seemed to be making observations on the locality, and, after a few minutes, crossed the open space and turned up into a small street which opened into the square. In this street was a coffeehouse of some pretension, connected indeed with an hotel, which had been formed out of two houses, and therefore possessed no inconsiderable accommodation.

The coffeeroom was capacious and adorned in a manner which intimated it was not kept by an Englishman, or much used by Englishmen. The walls were painted in frescoed arabesques. There were many guests, principally seated at small

tables of marble, and on benches and chairs covered with a coarse, crimson velvet. Some were sipping coffee, some were drinking wine, others were smoking or playing dominoes, or doing both; while many were engaged in reading the foreign journals which abounded.

An ever-vigilant waiter was at the side of the stranger the instant he entered, and wished to know his pleasure. The stranger was examining with his keen eye every individual in the room while this question was asked and repeated.

'What would I wish?' said the stranger, having concluded his inspection, and as it were summoning back his recollection. 'I would wish to see, and at once, one Mr. Perroni, who, I believe, lives here.'

'Why, 'tis the master!' exclaimed the waiter.

'Well, then, go and tell the master that I want him.'

But the master is much engaged,' said the waiter; 'particularly.'

'I dare say; but you will go and tell him that I particularly want to see him.'

The waiter, though prepared to be impertinent to any one else, felt that one was speaking to him who must be obeyed, and with a subdued, but hesitating, manner said, 'There is a meeting to-night upstairs, where the master is secretary, and it is difficult to see him; but if I could see him, what name am I to give?'

'You will go to him instantly,' said the stranger, and you will tell him that he is wanted by Captain Bruges.'

The waiter was not long absent, and returning with an obsequious bow, he invited the stranger to follow him to a private room, where he was alone only for a few seconds, for the door opened and he was joined by Perroni.

'Ah! my general,' exclaimed the master of the coffeehouse, and he kissed the 'You received my tele

stranger's hand.

gram?'