"Pardon, dear uncle," said the Count, smiling. "Not being aware of your return to town, I did not expect this matitudinal call."
The Cardinal was not the man to be astonished at a colonel of dragoons keeping a mistress. He made answer in his brief manner:
"I am pressed for time. Let us talk to the point. On my way from abroad I made a wide tour through France. We are on the verge of a revolution."
"Indeed, uncle?" asked the colonel incredulously. "Do you really believe—"
"I believe a revolution is at hand."
"But, uncle—"
"Have you available funds about you? If not, I can help you out."
"Funds—what for?"
"To exchange into gold, or for good drafts upon London. The latter are more convenient on a voyage."
"What! A voyage, uncle? What voyage?"