"Is it not so? Now here is the affair in two words. The revolution is over in France. Beneath the hand of the mighty man of genius whose talent and patriotism have raised him to power, Government has recovered its strength, society begins to breathe, the nation is once more rising to its proper position amidst the people; New France has entire faith in the man whose every step has hitherto been marked by victory, which has definitively declared on his side." "I presume," said the outlaw, quietly, "that you are speaking of the General Bonaparte." "Of no other. This great, this extraordinary man has, with his mighty hand, put down the Jacobins and the mob, driving them back to their original nothingness. He has chained forever the awful hydra of revolution. You have, then, heard of him?" "Most certainly," said the son of Maillard, coldly. "I am glad to hear it. This great man, who is as mighty a politician as he is a successful general, has followed, while slightly modifying it, the line traced by the national convention of execrable memory with regard to the Spanish colonies." "Sir," said the son of the regicide, "you are hard upon fallen men, upon vanquished enemies, who, if they were guilty of faults--of crimes if you will--did very great and glorious things, giving the first signal for social regeneration over the world." "It is useless, sir," said the envoy, "to discuss that matter. My convictions are very strong." "Well, sir, if that be so," replied the outlaw, "let us return to the General Bonaparte, and pray explain to me his new plans with regard to the Spanish possessions in America." "They are no new plans," observed the envoy; "only the old ones modified to a certain extent." "Modified in what way?" "There are two capital points. In the first place he wishes a cordial and frank alliance with the President of the United States, who cordially approves the policy of the French Government, which will, in the end, be to the advantage of America. Then he has given extensive powers to numerous sure and accredited agents, who, though, are not openly known because of the temporary Franco-Spanish alliance. Large sums of money have been provided by means of which to overthrow that species of Chinese wall with which Spain has surrounded its frontiers, which none ever cross and return." "Sir," said the outlaw, with a smile, "I have crossed them many a time and oft, and yet here I am." "It is precisely because of that fact that I am here." "Ah! Ah!" said the outlaw, with a laugh; "After all, despite your denials, you had seen through my incognito." "Well, it is useless to deny it. I have long known you to be a man of heart and action. I also know that by means of your vast connections no one can more readily help us to revolutionise the colonies. Besides, you are a Frenchman." "I am of no country," replied the other. "What, then, do you call yourself?"