"Englishmen in general are not very reflective politicians in foreign affairs," said Graham; "but those who are must see that France could not, without alarm the most justifiable, contemplate a cordon of hostile states being drawn around her on all sides,--Germany, is, itself so formidable since the field of Sadowa, on the east; a German prince in the southwest; the not improbable alliance between Prussia and the Italian kingdom, already so alienated from the France to which it owed so much. If England would be uneasy were a great maritime power possessed of Antwerp, how much more uneasy might France justly be if Prussia could add the armies of Spain to those of Germany, and launch them both upon France. But that cause of alarm is over--the Hohenzollern is withdrawn. Let us hope for the best." The three men had now seated themselves at a table in the Trois Freres, and Lemercier volunteered the task of inspecting the menu and ordering the repast, still keeping guard on Fox. "Observe that man," said Duplessis, pointing towards a gentleman who had just entered; "the other day he was the popular hero--now, in the excitement of threatened war, he is permitted to order his _bifteck_ uncongratulated, uncaressed; such is fame at Paris! here to-day and gone to-morrow." "How did the man become famous?" "He is a painter, and refused a decoration--the only French painter who ever did." "And why refuse?" "Because he is more stared at as the man who refused than he would have been as the man who accepted. If ever the Red Republicans have their day, those among them most certain of human condemnation will be the coxcombs who have gone mad for the desire of human applause." "You are a profound philosopher, M. Duplessis." "I hope not--I have an especial contempt for philosophers. Pardon me a moment--I see a man to whom I would say a word or two." Duplessis crossed over to another table to speak to a middle-aged man of somewhat remarkable countenance, with the red ribbon in his buttonhole, in whom Graham recognised an ex-minister of the Emperor, differing from most of those at that day in his Cabinet, in the reputation of being loyal to his master and courageous against a mob. Left thus alone with Lemercier, Graham said: "Pray tell me where I can find your friend the Marquis de Rochebriant. I called at his apartment this morning, and I was told that he had gone on some visit into the country, taking his valet, and the concierge could not give me his address. I thought myself so lucky on meeting with you, who are sure to know." "No, I do not; it is some days since I saw Alain. But Duplessis will be sure to know." Here the financier rejoined them. "Mon cher, Grarm Varn wants to know for what Sabine shades Rochebriant has deserted the '_fumum opes strepitumque_' of the capital." "Ah! the Marquis is a friend of yours, Monsieur?" "I can scarcely boast that honour, but he is an acquaintance whom I should be very glad to see again."