"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."
"There, 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?"
"None, sir, but I have my 'livret' for the school of Saumur, which sets forth my being a Frenchman by birth."
"Quite sufficient, boy, let me have it."