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marshal to a searching test； by means of his intimacy with one of his old
companions in arms； who had been for a long period on a mission to
Vienna； in the time of the empire。 The result of this investigation；
conducted with as much prudence as address； so that nothing should
transpire； showed that the marshal might give his serious attention to
the advances made him。
Hence； this proposition threw the father of Rose and Blanche into a cruel
perplexity； for； to attempt so bold and dangerous an enterprise； he must
once more abandon his children； whilst； on the contrary； if； alarmed at
this separation； he renounced the endeavor to save the King of Rome；
whose lingering death was perfectly true and well authenticated； the
marshal would consider himself as false to the vow he had sworn to the
emperor。 To end these painful hesitations； full of confidence in the
inflexible uprightness of his father's character； the marshal had gone to
ask his advice； unfortunately the old republican workman； mortally
wounded during the attack on M。 Hardy's factory； but still pondering over
the serious communication of his son； died with these words upon his
Lips： 〃My son； you have a great duty to perform； under pain of not acting
like a man of honor； and of disobeying my last will。 You must； without
hesitation〃
But； by a deplorable fatality； the last words； which would have completed
the sense of the old workman's thought； were spoken in so feeble a voice
as to be quite unintelligible。 He died； leaving Marshal Simon in a worse
state of anxiety； as one of the two courses open to him had now been
formally condemned by his father； in whose judgment he had the most
implicit and merited confidence。 In a word； his mind was now tortured by
the doubt whether his father had intended； in the name of honor and duty；
to advise him not to abandon his children； to engage in so hazardous an
enterprise； or whether； on the contrary； he had wished him to leave them
for a time； to perform the vow made to the emperor； and endeavor at least
to rescue Napoleon II。 from a captivity that might soon be mortal。
This perplexity； rendered more cruel by certain circumstances； to be
related hereafter； the tragical death of his father； who had expired in
his arms； the incessant and painful remembrance of his wife； who had
perished in a land of exile； and finally； the grief he felt at perceiving
the overgrowing sadness of Rose and Blanche； occasioned severe shocks to
Marshal Simon。 Let us add that； in spite of his natural intrepidity； so
nobly proved by twenty years of war； the ravages of the cholera； the same
terrible malady to which his wife had fallen a victim in Siberia； filled
the marshal with involuntary dread。 Yes； this man of iron nerves； who
had coolly braved death in so many battles； felt the habitual firmness of
his character give way at sight of the scenes of desolation and mourning
which Paris offered at every step。 Yet； when Mdlle。 de Cardoville
gathered round her the members of her family； to warn them against the
plot of their enemies； the affectionate tenderness of Adrienne for Rose
and Blanche appeared to exercise so happy an influence on their
mysterious sorrow； that the marshal； forgetting for a moment his fatal
regrets； thought only of enjoying this blessed change； which； alas！ was
but of short duration。 Having now recalled these facts to the mind of
the reader； we shall continue our story。
CHAPTER XLV。
THE BLOCKHEAD
We have stated that Marshal Simon occupied a small house in the Rue des
Trois…Freres。 Two o'clock in the afternoon had just struck in the
marshal's sleeping…chamber； a room furnished with military simplicity。
In the recess； in which stood the bed； hung a trophy composed of the arms
used by the marshal during his campaigns。 On the secretary opposite was
a small bronze bust of the emperor； the only ornament of the apartment。
Out of doors the temperature was far from warm； and the marshal had
become susceptible to cold during his long residence in India。 A good
fire therefore blazed upon the hearth。 A door； concealed by the
hangings； and leading to a back staircase； opened slowly； and a man
entered the chamber。 He carried a basket of wood； and advanced leisurely
to the fireplace； before which he knelt clown； and began to arrange the
logs symmetrically in a box that stood besides the hearth。 After some
minutes occupied in this manner； still kneeling； he gradually approached
another door； at a little distance from the chimney； and appeared to
listen with deep attention； as if he wished to hear what was passing in
the next room。
This man； employed as an inferior servant in the house； had the most
ridiculously stupid look that can be imagined。 His functions consisted
in carrying wood； running errands； etc。 In other respects he was a kind
of laughing…stock to the other servants。 In a moment of good humor；
Dagobert； who filled the post of major…domo； had given this idiot the
name of 〃Loony〃 （lunatic）； which he had retained ever since； and which he
deserved in every respect； as well for his awkwardness and folly as for
his unmeaning face； with its grotesquely flat nose； sloping chin； and
wide； staring eyes。 Add to this description a jacket of red stuff； and a
triangular white apron； and we must acknowledge that the simpleton was
quite worthy of his name。
Yet； at the moment when Loony listened so attentively at the door of the
adjoining room； a ray of quick intelligence animated for an instant his
dull and stupid countenance。
When he had thus listened for a short time； Loony returned to the
fireplace； still crawling on his knees； then rising； he again took his
basket half full of wood； and once more approaching the door at which he
had listened knocked discreetly。 No one answered。 He knocked a second
time； and more loudly。 Still there was the same silence。
Then he said； in a harsh； squeaking； laughable voice： 〃Ladies； do you
want any wood； if you please； for your fire？〃
Receiving no answer； Loony placed his basket on the ground； opened the
door gently； and entered the next room； after casting a rapid glance
around。 He came out again in a few seconds； looking from side to side
with an anxious air； like a man who had just accomplished some important
and mysterious task。
Taking up his basket； he was about to leave Marshal Simon's room； when
the door of the private staircase was opened slowly and with precaution；
and Dagobert appeared。
The soldier； evidently surprised at the servant's presence； knitted his
brows； and exclaimed abruptly； 〃What are you doing here？〃
At this sudden interrogation； accompanied by a growl expressive of the
ill…humor of Spoil…sport； who followed close on his master's heels； Loony
uttered a cry of real or pretended terror。 To give； perhaps； an
appearance of greater reality to his dread； the supposed simpleton let
his basket fall on the ground； as if astonishment and fear had loosened
his hold of it。
〃What are you doing； numbskull？〃 resumed Dagobert； whose countenance was
impressed with deep sadness； and who seemed little disposed to laugh at
the fellow's stupidity。
〃Oh； M。 D