St. Just stepped forward, and was beginning to renew his protestations of fidelity and gratitude, when Buonaparte waved him back and, with a frown, walked rapidly from the room.
Then Talleyrand addressed St. Just. "To-morrow, at eleven, you will start for Boulogne. There you will embark on the La Flèche. You have a fair knowledge of English, I understand. You will pass as the Comte St. Clair. Live as the others do—not ostentatiously, but don't grudge expenditure, when needful. Return the moment you have achieved the object of your mission.
"One last injunction; don't go to Auteuil, before you start."
He looked meaningly at St. Just. "Ah, you meant to; don't."
He touched a bell and an attendant entered.
"Captain Beaumont," he said.
The man withdrew and, in a few seconds, that officer stood before him.
"You will escort Mons. St. Just in a carriage to his apartment."
He bowed to both men and they left the room. Five minutes afterwards they quitted Malmaison and took the road to Paris.
CHAPTER VI.