“I tell you to the left, and you are looking to the right; I mean on my left⁠—yes, there. You will find yesterday’s report of the minister of police. But here is M. Dandré himself;” and M. Dandré, announced by the chamberlain-in-waiting, entered.

“Come in,” said Louis XVIII , with repressed smile, “come in, Baron, and tell the duke all you know⁠—the latest news of M. de Bonaparte; do not conceal anything, however serious⁠—let us see, the Island of Elba is a volcano, and we may expect to have issuing thence flaming and bristling war⁠— bella, horrida bella .”

M. Dandré leaned very respectfully on the back of a chair with his two hands, and said: