Colloquies?» retorted a third; «did you never hear the story of the general's death-bed? The demon to whom he had pledged his soul is said to have made his appearance at the chateau during the last moments of Fabert, disappearing at the very instant of his decease. » Carrying off, of course, in his Satanic pouch," added his comrade, with a hearty laugh, « the forfeited soul of the brave soldier who had outlived so many battles! » Laugh, and welcome, my dear fellow," remonstrated one of the younger officers; «< but I can tell you that scarcely a farmer in the district of Sedan but firmly believes that every month of May, about the anniversary of Fabert's decease, the general's black man, (as they familiarly denominate his Satanic Majesty,) reappears at the chateau!»> "I congratulate you, my dear sir,» rejoined the more sceptical of the set. If you remain long enough the inmate of the Duc de C., you may hope to enjoy the excitement of an adventure. » A thousand idle jests resulted from this sportive hint; but though I joined heartily in the merriment of the mess-table, I confess it was not without a certain uneasy sensation that, through the misty rain of a spring morning, I descried the turrets of the chateau of the Duc de C. the following day. I tried to make myself believe that awe at approaching the presence of a man so honoured with the friendship of His Majesty, was the sole cause of my nervous tremour. But in spite of my better reason, the idea of Marshal Fabert's Black Man was not without its influence. The chateau was surrounded with vast forests, while a cheerless-looking lake extended its dingy mirror in the foreground. Nothing inviting in its aspect! My mind was, however, too full of castles in the air, to admit of dwelling long upon the ominous features of the place. On presenting myself at the gates of the old, Gothic manorhouse, I was courteously welcomed; but the groom of the chambers informed me, it might be some hours before I received an audience of the Duke, who had slept the preceding night at a neighbouring country-seat. Refreshments were VOL. I. 27 offered me; and I was installed in a sort of old armoury on the ground-floor, on the walls of which a few curious military trophies were interspersed with boars' heads, stags', heads, and all the modern attributes of the chase. There were also certain old family portraits, which, at the close of a couple of hours, I began to think remarkably disagreeable companions. Scarcely had I come to this conclusion, when a pannel of the wainscot slid gently aside, and a human head suddenly intruded into the room; of which, independent of its singular mode of apparition, the aspect was sufficiently appalling,the features being wasted, the complexion cadaverous, and the coal-black hair wild and shaggy. Still there was something so strikingly intellectual in the face, that it was impossible not to feel interested, rather than terrified. « What are you doing here?» enquired a deep, but tremulous voice, issuing from the almost livid lips of the intruder. "Waiting for the Duc de C.,» replied I, with as much self-possession as I could manage to assume. K «And do you fancy that you are the only person waiting for him?» rejoined the stranger. But the hour will come!— his, and thine, and mine; the watcher watcheth for evermore! The forests of the earth are green, and the skies of heaven are blue; but there is a worm that never dies, and a fire that is never quenched. The fatal hour is at hand! This very night, and I shall have ceased to exist! » God forgive me! but there was something in this announcement not altogether disagreeable. I was far from sorry to hear my singular visitor avow himself to be a mere mortal, subject to the penalty of vulgar clay. And as he had now passed the threshold, and entered the armoury, I perceived that, though wild in aspect, he was, after all, a well-dressed young man, about thirty years of age, apparently labouring under the consequences of severe indisposition or severe affliction. If you are waiting for the Duc de C., come into my room, where you will be better accommodated than here," said he, probably discerning in my countenance tokens of sympathy in his condition; and I accordingly followed him through the secret door, which he closed carefully after us, into a small secluded suite of rooms, of which he did the honours with the ease and politeness of a man of the world. Having taken a seat by my side, and struggled for some minutes with his emotions, as if striving to recover strength and coherency for further explanations, he thanked me for my frank confidence in his good intentions. You are entitled,» said he, «to a full explanation of the strange circumstances under which we have met. Grant me your patience awhile. By the time I have related my dreadful history, the Duke will probably be at liberty to receive you. I was born, sir, an inmate of this chateau-the youngest of three brothers; to the eldest of whom were apportioned the wealth and honours of the House of C. Nothing remained for me but the wretched insignificance of churchmanship. I was destined to become an Abbé, dependent for preferment upon ministerial patronage. But with the blood and name of my heroic ancestors, I inherited their lofty ambitions! Glory was my idol. Earnest purpose of shining in the world already fermented in my bosom. I'was resolved to make myself heard of, or to be heard of no more. So absorbed was my soul by this overpowering yearning after distinction, that the pleasures of life became indifferent. I lived only in the future. The present was comparatively of small account. • Yet such was the clash and brilliancy of contemporaneous celebrities, such an influx of literary and military glory diffused its radiance on every side,-that I attained my thirtieth year without accomplishing my end. I was still the obscure denizen of our family estates,-totally eclipsed by the poets, statesmen, and warriors of the day. I was in despair. At certain moments of profound despondency, suicide presented itself as my sole refuge from my bitter consciousness of insignificance. The purport of my life seemed frustrated. To what end an existence so obscure, so colourless as mine? I was alone in my family. My elder brothers were already distinguished in the world. My only confident at home was an old negro attached from time immemorial to the house of C. I say from time immemorial, advisedly; for so little was recollected of his first connexion with the family, that many people pretended he had been originally seen in this chateau at the moment of the decease of Field-marshal Fabert. » I could not altogether repress a start of surprise at this announcement. My companion enquired what was the matter; but it was not for me to refer to the singular intelligence I had received the preceding evening from my friends the cuirassiers. « One day," resumed he, when more than usually overpowered by the dispiriting sense of my own nothingness, I exclaimed aloud, 'I would sacrifice ten years of my life to accomplish a first-rate literary reputation!' "Ten years is a large amount to pay for such a trifle!' observed lago, who happened to be in attendance upon me, smiling as he spoke, till his two glaring rows of white teeth became frightfully apparent. «'Large, but not more than it is worth,' I persisted. 'I say again, that I would thankfully give ten years to become a popular author.' "Done!' replied the negro, with his wonted sang froid(for he was the coolest fellow I ever beheld.) I accept your ten years. In return, know that your wish is already half accomplished.' You may conjecture my astonishment at hearing him propose this singular engagement. But conceive my surprise when, a few days afterwards, I learned by the post, that a work of mine, transmitted to Paris the preceding year for publication, had actually been crowned by the Academy! My pledge was scarcely given, and I was already a person of note! I flew to the capital, and was received on all sides with open arms. The most distinguished men of the day were proud to make my acquaintance. Their praises, their examples, their counsels, encouraged my enthusiasm, as well as perfected my taste. Every successive work that emanated from my pen, was pronounced to be a chef d'œuvre. I had assumed a suppositious name, in order to distinguish myself from my brothers; and scarcely a newspaper in which it was not twenty times repeated! My works were translated into every European language. My books were in every hand. It was only yesterday, sir, that you yourself--but no matter. » My feelings were, by this time, painfully excited. Into whose presence had I thus singularly intruded? Who was this mysterious stranger? Was it Diderot? - Marmontel? D'Alembert?-Voltaire? I began to regard my companion with a degree of respect, exceeding even my previous compassion. To a spirit so ardently constituted as mine,» resumed he, after a heavy sigh, << even this excess of literary honour soon became insufficient for happiness. I said to myself after all,what is there at all manly, what is there ennobling in all this waste of pens and ink! The occupation of the demigods, ere earth was peopled with mere mortals, was conquest. Military renown is the only glory worth achieving. To be a great general, to become the leader of an army, were well worth the sacrifice of ten years of one's existence. » "'You continue to bid high,' cried lago, who was still in my service. But once more I accept your terms. Ten years, and you shall become a hero!'» My countenance, I conclude, now began to evince tokens of incredulity; for the stranger suddenly exclaimed, « You do not believe me? Would that I too could be incredulous! For I swear to you by all that is holiest in the universe, from the moment when, on the faith of this mysterious compact, I entered the army, I had only to plan expeditions, to have them crowned with success beyond my most sanguine expectations. History is at hand to confirm my asseverations. My name was again an assumed one; but there was no illusion in the provinces it was my fate to attach to the sovereignty of France;-in the fortresses which ceded to my besiegement, -in the redoubts which I carried, in the banners which I brought back to the feet of my king. These, at least, were real; and these still survive to attest all I have been! » The stranger was now pacing the room with impetuous footsteps; and as I contemplated his movements, I could not forbear exclaiming to myself, «Who on earth have I before |