"French history," said Colville, thoughtfully. "Yes. That is
interesting. Miss Liston likes that best, does she? Or, perhaps,
she thinks that it is best for you to know it. Do you know all
about Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette?"

"Pretty well," admitted Sep, doubtfully.

"When I was a little chap like you, I knew many people who had seen
Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette. That was long, long ago," he
added, turning to Miriam to make the admission. "But those are not
the things that one forgets, are they, Miss Liston?"

"Then I wish Sep could know somebody who would make him remember,"
answered Miriam, half closing the book in her hand; for she was very
quick and had seen Colville's affable glance take it in in passing,
as it took in everything within sight.

"A King, for instance," he said, slowly. "A King of France.
Others--prophets and righteous men--have desired to see that, Miss
Liston."

It seemed, however, that he had seen enough to know the period which
they were studying.

"I suppose," he said, after a pause, "that in this studious house
you talk and think history, and more especially French history. It
must be very quiet and peaceful. Much more restful than acting in
it as my friend de Gemosac has done all his life, as I myself have
done in a small way. For France takes her history so much more
violently than you do in England. France is tossed about by it,