“Alas!” I said to myself, “have I said enough? Have I shown my feelings unmistakably? Or rather, have I said too much? Will she ever consent to receive me again, now that she knows I love her? But does she know it? and does she care to know it?” In this fashion I groaned over the uncertainty of my fate, when my attention was violently diverted by the tones of a familiar voice. I raised my eyes and saw Monsieur Mille standing up in a café and singing in the midst of a group of women “patriots” and “citizens.” He was dressed as a national guard, and with his left arm he encircled a young woman, in whom I recognized one of the flower-sellers from Ramponneau. To the tune of _Lisette_ he was singing these words:— “Though patriots hundreds strong To break our bonds are fain, Women, in thousands, long To readjust the chain; Tradition holds them fast, With pitying scorn they view Whoso abhors the past And welcomes in the new.”[12] ----- Footnote 12: S’il est douze cents députés Qui brisent nos entraves, Le v[oe]u de cent mille beautés Est de nous rendre esclaves: Toutes nos dames ont regret A l’ancien régime, Et louer un nouveau décret C’est perdre leur estime. ----- This verse was received with a murmur of approval. Monsieur Mille smiled, bowed gracefully, and then, turning to his companion, recommenced his song— “Ah! not with such join hands, Sophie, beloved maid! Philosophy’s commands Yield kindlier, holier aid: Her guidance she outpours On those—O happy chance!— Who to Her rights restores Our own, our much wronged France.”[13] Applause followed, and Monsieur Mille, drawing from his pocket a bunch of ribbons, handed it to Sophie as he resumed his song— “Hasten then, far and wide, This gay cockade to show, Which fills my breast with pride, When to my guard I go. What’s gold, with tawdry glint, To the bud which half uncloses? This badge of triple tint Outvies the fairest roses.”[14] ----- Footnote 13: Ah! ne les imitez jamais, Adorable Sophie, Et connaissez mieux les bienfaits De la philosophie; C’est elle qui dicte les lois Aux Solons de la France, Et qui fera dans tous ses droits Rentrer un peuple immense. Footnote 14: