MARIE ANTOINETTE'S
TALISMAN .
135
bitterly," he said. " Thinking me one of themfor I wore this-they spoke freely enough. " Here Christopher took a red cap from his pocket, and shook it viciously, as if he hated the very color. The governor looked up and laughed again. " So they thought you one of their order, my poor Christopher, and took you into their confidence on the strength of that red abomination . { Well, when do they intend to tear down the Bastile ?" "Tear down the Bastile ! Have we not decided that the walls may defy them ?" replied the keeper, uneasily. "If I thought other"" wise.
nervous step, which soon brought him to the keeper, who keenly regarded him during his progress. "A letter for the governor," said the stranger, promptly taking a folded paper from his girdle. "Where from?" questioned Christopher. "Directly from Versailles. Besides this, I am intrusted with a message which can only be given in person ; oblige me by saying so much in my behalf." Christopher took the letter and held it between his teeth , while the ponderous machinery of the bridge was put in motion again, and the whole fabric loomed up. The stranger started as he saw the huge "Well, what then, my good Christopher?" "Why, then I should be glad to exchange fabric uplifted like some massive gate rising between him and the world he had left ; but he places with any prisoner in the cells." "A hard alternative, Christopher," said the made no protest, and only grew a little paler governor, smiling over his well-filled plate, than before, as the awful blackness of its shadow "and one not likely to happen. But we must fell upon him. be careful. If the rabble hate us, as you say, "There is no danger from any one on this side," muttered the keeper, moving slowly away, we must do nothing to arouse them." That moment the loud clangor of a bell leaving the stranger standing by the guard ; sounded down the passages of the prison. "but in these times it is hardly safe to admit "What is that, Christopher ?" inquired the even a stripling like that after dark." governor, laying down his knife and fork with He found the governor deep in his meal, something like consternation. which he enjoyed with the zest of a man who "Some one claiming admittance, who rings has few sources of occupation or amusement, boldly, either an enemy, or an officer under and , therefore, gives free scope to the appetite. authority of the law, I should say," answered He was just filling a glass of wine as Christhe keeper. topher came in, and holding it up, smiled to see " Go and see, Christopher . " its amber hues sparkle inthe lamplight. Indeed, The keeper went out, passed from the prison he was too pleasantly occupied for any rememto the drawbridge, and looked across the moat, brauce of the errand on which the keeper had swollen and green with stagnant water, saw a gone. single, slight figure claiming a passage over "Ah ! is it you again, my Christopher ?" he said, draining the glass with a mellow smack of both by voice and gesture. .. Why was the bell rung ?" asked Christopher the lips. "Well, what news ? The bell rang, if I remember. What unreasonable person was so of the guard. "Because it is some one with an order for the bold ?" governor. He held up a paper." "It is a messenger from Versailles, your excellency ; some one with a letter, and a special "Is he quite alone ?" "Yes, I saw him dismount from a tired horse, message to yourself." "From Versailles ? Let him in; let him in. which you may yourself discover standing within the shadow of yonder building." It is not often that Louis the Sixteenth requires " Let down the drawbridge ; but see that but my services. That is why the rabble has dared one man enters- it may be a messenger from to lift its clamor against the Bastile. If he the court." would but crowd the old prison from foundaDirectly the great chains of the drawbridgetion to roof with the disaffected, there would be began to shake and rattle, the mighty hinges no more cries of ' Down with the Bastile !' in the turned with ponderous heaviness, and the great streets of Paris. Let the king's messenger premass of wood fell slowly downward , spanning sent himself, he is welcome. " Christopher went out, and directly returned the gulf of dark waters from wall to wall, like with the page in close company. When this a causeway leading directly through Hades. A slight figure left the opposite side of the person was seen in the full glare of the light, moat, and crossed the bridge with a quick, the appearance of extreme youth vanished. He
