"Has he, too, been superseded by the National Assembly."
"No, mademoiselle—citoyenne, I mean."
"By whom, then?"
"By the people, citoyenne—the nation as represented by the free citizens of Martinique, who now decline to recognize an officer who was sent here by Louis XVI., and is resolutely bent on upholding the name and authority of the boy in the Temple, whom he names Louis XVII."
"Oh, what is this you tell me, sir!" I exclaimed, clasping my hands; "my father——"
"Is a state prisoner."
"Where, monsieur—where? Lead me to him—to my father—my dear father, whom I have come so far to see, and to make the depository of my sorrows," I implored, in a passion of grief, as his thin and reverend figure seemed to rise before me; "M. Rouvigny, lead me to him."
"Mademoiselle, I tell you it is impossible; but you shall see him to-morrow."
"When?"
"At noon."