Olivier Dalibard, a man of considerable learning and rare scientific attainments, had been tutor in the house of the Marquis de G----, a French nobleman known many years before to the old baronet.

The marquis and his family had been among the first emigres at the outbreak of the Revolution.

The tutor had remained behind; for at that time no danger appeared to threaten those who pretended to no other aristocracy than that of letters.

Contrary, as he said, with repentant modesty, to his own inclinations, he had been compelled, not only for his own safety, but for that of his friends, to take some part in the subsequent events of the Revolution,--a part far from sincere, though so well had he simulated the patriot that he had won the personal favour and protection of Robespierre; nor till the fall of that virtuous exterminator had he withdrawn from the game of politics and effected in disguise his escape to England.

As, whether from kindly or other motives, he had employed the power of his position in the esteem of Robespierre to save certain noble heads from the guillotine,--amongst others, the two brothers of the Marquis de G----, he was received with grateful welcome by his former patrons, who readily pardoned his career of Jacobinism from their belief in his excuses and their obligations to the services which that very career had enabled him to render to their kindred.