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you have greeted each other like two gentlemen^—a very dangerous thing to do in these days—embrace each other like two comrades.''
    "I ask nothing better," said Eugene; and Charles sprang into his arms.
    The two boys embraced with the cordiality and frankness of youth.
    "Now," continued the elder of the two, "I know that your name is Charles; mine is Eugene. I hope that since we know each other's name there will be no more monsieur or citizen between us. Shall I set you the example ? Will you come to table, my dear Charles ? I am dying of hunger and I heard Madame Teutch say that you also had a good appetite.''
    "Heigho!" said Madame Teutch, "how well that was said, my little Charles. These aristocrats, these aristo crats, they know what is right!"
    "Do not say such things, my dear Madame Teutch," said Eugene, laughing; "a worthy inn like yours should lodge nothing but sans-culottes."
    "In that case I should have to forget that I had the honor of lodging your worthy father, Monsieur Eugene; and, (rod knows, I pray night and morning for him."
    '' You may pray for my mother at the same time, good Madame Teutch," said the youth, wiping away a tear, "for my sister Hortense writes me that she has been arrested and confined in the prison of the Carmelites. I received the letter this morning.''
    "My poor friend," said Charles.
    "How old is your sister?" asked Madame Teutch.
    "Ten."
    4 ' Poor child! send for her to come to you at once ; and we will take care of her. She can't stay alone in Paris."
    •'Thanks, Madame Teutch, thanks; but fortunately she is not alone. She is with my grandmother at our Chateau de la Ferte-Beauharnais. But here I have made you all sad, and I had resolved to keep this news to myself.''

    THE WHITES AND THE BLUES 33
    41 Monsieur Eugene," said Charles, "when one lias such notions one does not ask for people's friendship. Now, to punish you, you are to talk of nothing but your father and your mother and sister during all the breakfast."
    The two boys sat down at table, Madame Teutch remain ing to serve them. The task imposed on Eugene was an easy one for him. He told his young friend that he was the last descendant of a noble family of Orle'anais; that one of his ancestors, Gruillaume de Beauharnais, had mar ried Marguerite de Bourges in 1398; that another, Jean de Beauharnais, had been a witness at the trial of La Pucelle (Joan of Arc); that in 1764 their estate of la Ferte-Aurain had been elevated to a marquisate under the name of la Ferte'-Beauharnais; that his uncle Frangois had emigrated in 1790, had become a major in the army of Condd, and had offered himself to the president of the Convention to defend the king. As for his father, who was at the present time under arrest on charge of conspiracy with the enemy, he had been born at Martinique, and there had married Mademoiselle Tascher de la Pagerie, and had brought her to France, where they had been received at court.
    Elected to the States- General by the jurisdiction of Blois, he had, on the night of the 4th of August, been one of the first to favor the suppression of titles and privileges. Elected a secretary of the National Assembly, and a member of the military commission, he had, during the preparation of the Federation, worked eagerly at the levelling of the Champ de Mars, harnessed to the same cart as the Abbe Sieyes. Finally he had been detailed to the Army of the North as adjutant-general; he had commanded the camp of Soissons, refused the Ministry of War, and accepted the fatal com mand of the Army of the Ehine. The rest is known.
    But it was when he spoke of the beauty, goodness, and grace of his mother that the youth was most eloquent; and he declared that he would now work all the more eagerly for the Marquis de Beauharnais, because in so do ing he was aLo working for his good mother, Josephine.

    Charles, who felt a deep affection for his own parents, found infinite delight in listening to his young companion, and did not tire of