"Accordingly, I now feel free to promise you that we shall all celebrate together our son's anniversary. That day begins to-night after twelve o'clock; at that hour, or, perhaps, even sooner, I shall be with you. Just so soon as the messenger who takes my letter to you, leaves the house, I shall run upstairs and wait--yes, I shall wait behind the door, there, near you." No sooner were these last words read than Madam Lebrenn and her children precipitated themselves upon the door. It opened. Indeed, Monsieur Lebrenn was there. Futile to describe the transports of joy of this family when once again they had their adored father in their midst! CHAPTER XIV. SACROVIR'S BIRTHDAY. The family of Marik Lebrenn were assembled in their little parlor on the day after the merchant's arrival. It was the birthday of his son, who on that day completed his twenty-first year. "My son," Lebrenn said to Sacrovir, "to-day you are twenty-one years of age. The time has come to introduce you to the chamber with the closed window that has so often excited your curiosity. You are about to become acquainted with its contents. I wish first to explain to you the reason for and the cause of this mystery. The moment you are initiated, my son, I know your curiosity will turn to pious respect. Accident has so willed it that the day of your initiation into this family mystery should be providentially chosen. Since my arrival yesterday, we have given ourselves over to tokens of love, and have had little time to consider public matters. Nevertheless, a few words that escaped you--as well as you, my dear George," added the merchant addressing his daughter's husband, "cause me to apprehend that you feel discouraged--that you may even despair." "It is but too true, father," answered Sacrovir. "When one witnesses the things that are happening every day," added George, "one may well feel alarmed for the future of the Republic, and of mankind." "Well, tell me, children," asked Lebrenn with his usual smile, "what is happening that is so very terrible? Tell me all about it." "Everywhere at this hour the people's liberty is being kicked and cuffed, and even strangled by the henchmen of absolute Kings. Italy, Prussia, Germany, Hungary, are all again forced under the bloody yoke that, electrified by our example in 1848, they that year broke, relying upon our support as their brothers! To the northeast the despot of the Cossacks planted one foot upon Poland, another upon Hungary, smothered both countries in their own blood, and now threatens the independence of Europe with his knout, and is even ready to hurl upon us his savage hordes!"