"But I will redeem my fault and give you the means of making your peace with the Cinq-Cygnes.

It is now thirty years since the affair I am about to speak of took place; it is as old to the present day as the death of Henri IV.

(which between ourselves and in spite of the proverb is still a mystery, like so many other historical catastrophes).

I can, however, assure you that even if this affair did not concern Madame de Cinq-Cygne it would be none the less curious and interesting.

Moreover, it throws light on a celebrated exploit in our modern annals,--I mean that of the Mont Saint-Bernard.