"But why," said I, "did you not prefer your claims at the period of
the restoration?"

"I was unable, from extreme illness, to quit the city of Bologna.
The moment I was better I hastened to Paris; I presented myself to
the allied monarchs, but the work was done. The good Prince of
Conde knew, and received me with open arms, but his friendship
availed me not. One evening, passing through a lonely street, I was
suddenly attacked by assassins, and escaped with difficulty. After
wandering through Normandy, I returned into Italy, and stopped some
time at Modena. Thence I wrote to the allied powers, in particular
to the Emperor Alexander, who replied to my letter with expressions
of the greatest kindness. I did not then despair of obtaining
justice, or, at all events, if my rights were to be sacrificed, of
being allowed a decent provision, becoming a prince. But I was
arrested, and handed over to the Austrian government. During eight
months I have been here buried alive, and God knows when I shall
regain my freedom."

I begged him to give me a brief sketch of his life. He told me very
minutely what I already knew relating to Louis XVII. and the cruel
Simon, and of the infamous calumnies that wretch was induced to
utter respecting the unfortunate queen, &c. Finally he said, that
while in prison, some persons came with an idiot boy of the name of
Mathurin, who was substituted for him, while he himself was carried
off. A coach and four was in readiness; one of the horses was
merely a wooden-machine, in the interior of which he was concealed.
Fortunately, they reached the confines, and the General (he gave me
the name, which has escaped me) who effected his release, educated