‘No! I’m not asleep, come in.’
The officer who presented me now retired, and I advanced towards the bedside.
‘This is Tiernay, general,’ said Merochamp, stooping down and speaking low; ‘you wished to see him.’
‘Yes, I wanted him. Ha! Tiernay, you see me a good deal altered since we parted last; however, I shall be all right in a day or two, it’s a mere attack of ague, and will leave when the good weather comes. I wished to ask you about your family, Tiernay; was not your father Irish?’
‘No, sir; we were Irish two or three generations back, but since that we have belonged either to Austria or to France.’
‘Then where were you born?’
‘In Paris, sir, I believe, but certainly in France.’
‘Then I said so, Merochamp; I knew that the boy was French.’
‘Still I don’t think the precaution worthless,’ replied Merochamp; ‘Teeling and the others advise it.’
‘I know they do,’ said Humbert peevishly, ‘and for themselves it may be needful; but this lad’s case will be injured, not bettered by it. He is not an Irishman; he never was at any time a British subject. Have you any certificate of birth or baptism, Tiernay?’