His first aide-de-camp, Merochamp, was standing with his back to a small turf fire, and made a sign to us to be still, and make no noise as we came in. ‘He ‘s sleeping,’ said he; ‘it ‘s the first time he has closed his eyes for ten days.’ We stood for a moment uncertain, and were about to retrace our steps, when Humbert said, in a low, weak voice-- ‘No! I’m not asleep, come in.’ The officer who presented me now retired, and I advanced towards the bedside. ‘This is Tiernay, general,’ said Merochamp, stooping down and speaking low; ‘you wished to see him.’ ‘Yes, I wanted him. Ha! Tiernay, you see me a good deal altered since we parted last; however, I shall be all right in a day or two, it’s a mere attack of ague, and will leave when the good weather comes. I wished to ask you about your family, Tiernay; was not your father Irish?’ ‘No, sir; we were Irish two or three generations back, but since that we have belonged either to Austria or to France.’ ‘Then where were you born?’ ‘In Paris, sir, I believe, but certainly in France.’ ‘Then I said so, Merochamp; I knew that the boy was French.’ ‘Still I don’t think the precaution worthless,’ replied Merochamp; ‘Teeling and the others advise it.’ ‘I know they do,’ said Humbert peevishly, ‘and for themselves it may be needful; but this lad’s case will be injured, not bettered by it. He is not an Irishman; he never was at any time a British subject. Have you any certificate of birth or baptism, Tiernay?’ ‘None, sir; but I have my ‘livret’ for the school of Saumur, which sets forth my being a Frenchman by birth.’ ‘Quite sufficient, boy, let me have it.’ It was a document which I always carried about with me since I landed, to enable me any moment, if made prisoner, to prove myself an alien, and thus escape the inculpation of fighting against the flag of my country. Perhaps there was something of reluctance in my manner as I relinquished it, for the general said, ‘I’ll take good care of it, Tiernay; you shall not fare the worse because it is in my keeping. I may as well tell you that some of our Irish officers have received threatening letters. It is needless to say they are without name, stating that if matters go unfortunately with us in this campaign they will meet the fate of men taken in open treason; and that their condition of officers in our service will avail them nothing. I do not believe this. I cannot believe that they will be treated in any respect differently from the rest of us. However, it is only just that I should tell you that your name figures amongst those so denounced; for this reason I have sent for you now. You, at least, have nothing to apprehend on this score. You are as much a Frenchman as myself. I know Merochamp thinks differently from me, and that your Irish descent and name will be quite enough to involve you in the fate of others.’ A gesture, half of assent but half of impatience, from the aide-de-camp, here arrested the speaker.