He asked me what progress I was making in my education. I told him. When I mentioned M. Drouet, he asked if he were not the postmaster at St. Menehould. On my response in the affirmative, “A hot Republican, if I mistake not?” he said. I replied that, through him, this part of the country had been apprized of the capture of the Bastille. He asked me some questions about the general disposition of the country—as much of the nobles as of the lower classes. I told him that the love of the people for their King was great, and that they equally hated the nobles, which was true. He covered his face with his handkerchief, and sighed. I looked at him with astonishment. “Pardon me, Duke,” said I; “but I heard the Prince de Condé say that he was going to inspect the fortifications of Verdun, in case of war.” He looked at me to see what I was driving at. “Excuse my question, Duke,” said I, “but do you think it probable that we shall have war?” “Very probable,” said he, looking at me in his turn. “But why that question?” “Because, in that event, your Grace, I shall not have lost my time.” “What would you do if there were war?” “If France be menaced, every one capable of bearing a musket should fly to its defence.” He looked at my gun. It was the one which he had given me. “So you can not only carry a gun, but you know how to use it.” “In fact, your Grace,” said I, laughing, “thanks to your noble gift, I am such a capital shot, that if I had a Prussian or Austrian at the end of it, I fancy they would pass an uncomfortable quarter of an hour.” “You think so?” “I am certain of it. A Prussian or an Austrian would be bigger than that pigeon you see there.” And I pointed to one perched about three hundred paces off, on the dry branch of a tree. “You are mad,” said the Prince. “That bird is three times out of range.” “Certainly, your Grace, for shot; but not for ball?” “Your gun is loaded, then, with ball?” “Yes, your Grace; I seldom use anything else.” “What are you doing, Henri?” the Prince de Condé said, as he appeared in view. “Nothing, father,” replied the Duke; “I am only saying a few words to this boy here.” He then bade me farewell, saying that he hoped I would always “think of him kindly.” And waving his hand, he resumed his seat by his father’s side, and disappeared. I stood almost heart-broken on the spot where the Prince addressed his last words to me. One would have thought that I had a presentiment of the awful circumstances under which I should meet him again. All the towns had organized national guards, after the example of Paris. Châlons had set the example; St. Menehould had followed it. M. Drouet was captain. He came to ask Bertrand to be his lieutenant, and to see how many men he could recruit at Islettes. It was the report of bandits having been seen about which induced them to organize the National Guard.