was rapid and hard. Madame Campan extended her hand to him and
greeted him with a friendly smile. "So you have kept your word, Mr.
Toulan," she said. "You bring me the news of the court's decision?"

"Yes, madame, I do," he answered softly, and with a touch of
sadness. "I am only sorry that you have had to wait so long, but it
is not my fault. It was striking eight from the tower of St. Jacques
when I received the news."

"Eight," asked Madame de Campan, looking at the clock, "it is now
scarcely nine. You do not mean to say that you have ridden the
eighteen miles from Paris to Versailles in an hour?"

"I have done it, and I assure you that is nothing wonderful. I had
four fresh horses stationed along the road, and they were good ones.
I fancied myself sometimes a bird flying through the air, and it
seems to me now as if I had flown. I beg your pardon if I sit down
in your presence, for my feet tremble a little."

"Do sit down, my dear young friend," cried Campan, and she hastened
herself to place an easy-chair for the young man.

"Only an instant," he said, sinking into it. "But believe me it is
not the quick ride that makes my feet tremble, but joy and
excitement. I shall perhaps have the pleasure to have done the queen
a little service, for you told me that it would be very important
for her majesty to learn the verdict as quickly as possible, and no
one has got here before me, has there?"

"No, my friend, the queen will learn the news first through your