I wanted money, but did not go to him, knowing that he would require explanations which I was in no wise prepared to give him.

Instead I telegraphed to my lawyer in London, who negotiated a loan for me, mortgaging, so far as I could gather from his technical communications, my reversion of Hopton in case Isabella Gayerson should marry another than myself.

The money was an absolute necessity, for without it Madame and Lucille could not leave France, and I took but little heed of the manner in which it was procured.
It was in the evening of August 28th, a few hours after General Trochu's decree calling upon foreigners to quit Paris, that I sought a consultation with Madame.

The Vicomtesse came to my study, divining perhaps that what I had to say to her were better spoken in the absence of Lucille.
"You wish to speak to me, _mon ami_," she said.
In reply I laid before her the proclamation issued by General Trochu.
In it all foreigners were warned to leave, and persons who were not in a position to "_faire face a l'ennemi_" invited to quit Paris.

She glanced through the paper hurriedly.
"Yes," she said; "I understand.