"What is it, sir?" asked the prince.
"His Excellence, the minister of war, has just arrived; he is at the order of your Royal Highness for the visit which is to be made to the Hôtel des Invalides."
"Say to his Excellence that I will be with him in a moment."
As the aide-de-camp departed, the prince turned coldly to Frantz, and said:
"Return to your apartments, monsieur; you are under arrest until the moment of your departure."
"My departure, monseigneur?"
"My departure?" repeated Frantz, amazed. "Oh, my God! And where are you going to send me, monseigneur?"
"You will see. I shall confide you to the care of Major Butler; he will answer for you to me. Before twenty-four hours you shall leave Paris."
"Mercy, monseigneur!" cried Frantz, in a supplicating voice, not able to believe what he had heard. "Have pity on me, and do not compel me to depart."