Bourrienne did as he was told. At the same moment the noise of a carriage was heard entering the courtyard of the Luxembourg. A moment later the door opened and Roland appeared. “Well?” asked Bonaparte. “Didn’t I tell you you could have anything you wanted, general?” “Have you brought your Englishman?” “I met him in the Place de Buci; and, knowing that you don’t like to wait, I caught him just as he was, and made him get into the carriage. Faith! I thought I should have to drive round to the Rue Mazarine, and get a guard to bring him. He’s in boots and a frock-coat.” “Let him come in,” said Bonaparte. “Come in, Sir John,” cried Roland, turning round. Lord Tanlay appeared on the threshold. Bonaparte had only to glance at him to recognize a perfect gentleman. A trifling emaciation, a slight pallor, gave Sir John the characteristics of great distinction. He bowed, awaiting the formal introduction, like the true Englishman he was. “General,” said Roland, “I have the honor to present to you Sir John Tanlay, who proposed to go to the third cataract for the purpose of seeing you, but who has, to-day, obliged me to drag him by the ear to the Luxembourg.” “Come in, my lord; come in,” said Bonaparte. “This is not the first time we have seen each other, nor the first that I have expressed the wish to know you; there was therefore positive ingratitude in trying to evade my desire.” “If I hesitated,” said Sir John, in excellent French, as usual, “it was because I could scarcely believe in the honor you do me.” “And besides, very naturally, from national feeling, you detest me, don’t you, like the rest of your countrymen?” “I must confess, general,” answered Sir John, smiling, “that they have not got beyond admiration.” “And do you share the absurd prejudice that claims that national honor requires you to hate to-day the enemy who may be a friend to-morrow?” “France has been almost a second mother country to me, and my friend Roland will tell you that I long for the moment when, of my two countries, the one to which I shall owe the most will be France.” “Then you ought to see France and England shaking hands for the good of the world, without repugnance.” “The day when I see that will be a happy day for me.” “If you could contribute to bring it about would you do so?” “I would risk my life to do it.” “Roland tells me you are a relative of Lord Grenville.” “His nephew.” “Are you on good terms with him?” “He was very fond of my mother, his eldest sister.” “Have you inherited the fondness he bore your mother?” “Yes; only I think he holds it in reserve till I return to England.” “Will you deliver a letter for me?” “To whom?” “King George III.” “I shall be greatly honored.” “Will you undertake to say to your uncle that which cannot be written in a letter?” “Without changing a syllable; the words of General Bonaparte are history.”