for another; and yet here is " Monsieur Dubois, Rentier, Rue de Thunville." It is for me certainly.'

All the night the poor man's head was at work, trying to recollect something that might throw light upon the subject; but in vain. Determined, however, to avail himself of the invitation, he arranged his dress with the most scrupulous care, and as the clock struck nine directed his steps towards the Hôtel Delmas, which was in the Chaussée d'Antin; and having inquired for the General Comte Delmas, a servant in splendid livery conducted him to a magnificent drawing room, and throwing open the door, announced in a loud voice 'Monsieur Dubois,' and then closed the door behind him. When the ex-president found himself in an apartment brilliantly lighted, where he was surrounded by young and handsome women gaily dressed-when he observed the gorgeous uniforms of the young officers who fluttered around these blooming fair ones, or conversed apart amongst themselves about the recent victories which had astonished all Europe, he remained immovable, not daring to advance a step, for he began to fear that he had been the dupe of some malicious mystification. His embarrassment was increasing, when a young lady, dressed with elegant simplicity, advanced towards him, and holding out her hand, said in a kind voice: 'Come forward, Monsieur Dubois: : you are amongst friends here.'

The sound of that voice, which he thought he knew, made him raise his eyes, and when he had fixed them upon the speaker he involuntarily exclaimed: 'Violet !' But quickly checking himself, he looked about with a bewildered air, doubting whether he was awake or dreaming.

'Yes, Monsieur Dubois,' said the lady, it is your servant Violet, who has not forgotten the kindness she received from you.'

The poor president, utterly confounded, stammered out some unintelligible words; but his astonishment increased when, taking hold of his hand, the young lady conducted him through a crowd of attentive spectators to the other

side of the room, where, on a sofa near the fire, was seated an elderly woman, to whom she presented him, saying: 'Here is another of your old acquaintances.'

'Madame Gonju, I protest!' exclaimed the ex-president. 'Yes, it is the Citizen Gonju, president,' said the old lady: who is grown old-very old indeed; but who is rejoiced to see you in good health.'

་

I cannot at all comprehend this affair,' said Monsieur Dubois. Can it be possible, madame, that you are the same person who, twelve years ago'

Yes, sir,' said a general officer attired in a rich uniform, who now approached them-it is indeed that Violet who was once your servant; and that is good Madame Gonju, who acted as your portress. But here is a third person whom you do not know, but who is under obligations to you also;' and so saying the general introduced to him an old gentleman of a dignified and venerable appearance. This,' said he, 'is Monsieur de Blangy, father of her whom you named Violet. During that terrible period, through which we were obliged to pass before we reached to happier times, the Count de Blangy, pursued by those who sought his life, found refuge in the humble garret which his amiable daughter consented to inhabit in the character of your servant, that she might watch over the safety of her parent. The good Madame Gonju alone shared with her this dangerous secret, the discovery of which might have produced such disastrous consequences. As soon as I became acquainted with this touching episode in the history of Mademoiselle de Blangy, I took measures to discover your address, in order that I might request you to consider yourself ever a welcome guest at my house. I am desirous that Mademoiselle de Blangy, who is now about to become my wife, should draw around her those whose presence must continually recall to mind the courage beyond her sex, and the noble self-devotion by which she has been enabled to preserve the life of the best of parents.'

Monsieur Dubois, agitated by so many unexpected events, accepted with tears of gratitude the kindness so

frankly offered: he became a frequent and welcome guest at the Hôtel de Delmas. As to Madame Gonju, to whom a much larger debt of gratitude was due, Madame Delmas always retained her near her, and treated her with a respect and tenderness that were quite touching.

Violet proved as excellent a wife as she had been a devoted daughter. Idolised by her husband, beloved by her children, the centre of a society capable of estimating her merit, she still lives in the enjoyment of all the happiness this world can bestow.

A NIGHT ADVENTURE IN EGYPT.

EARLY in the year 1807, being at that time stationed in Sicily, the regiment to which I belonged was ordered to form part of a small expedition sent to Egypt under the command of General Mackenzie Fraser. Subsequent to the unfortunate affair at Rosetta, where Major-General Wauchope was killed, and where the army lost a great many men, the troops retreated to Alexandria, and the corps to which I belonged was chosen for the purpose of encamping on the sands of Aboukir, to watch the motions of the Turks.

In the camp, where we remained several months, the event happened, which I relate as indicative of what may be expected by kindness even to the most savage animal. Soon after our encampment, we observed that large troops of wild dogs were in the habit of hovering round the camp, for the purpose of picking up whatever they could; however, they never during the day approached near the camp, but were generally to be seen in a small wood in its vicinity, and about the ruins of the old castle. A wild dog is about the size of a large shepherd-dog, generally of a dirty white colour, very strong limbs, large head with prick ears, something like a wolf's head, and, like him, 'bony and gaunt and grim.' One of these dogs

-a female-had domesticated herself at the hospital tent, where the men fed her, and I also used to take her to my own tent frequently, and give her a breakfast. She remained with the regiment many years after our return to Sicily. One night, being the captain on duty, it was my business after twelve o'clock to visit all the guards and pickets in the neighbourhood of our camp. I was on horseback; and when about a quarter of a mile distant from the camp, my horse suddenly began to snort, and very soon stood still; nor could I, by use of heel and hand, induce him to go forward. I perceived approaching me, at the distance of thirty yards, something white, and, by an immediate attack, became aware that my enemy was a troop of these said wild dogs. I drew my sabre, and endeavoured to urge my horse forward, but he was immovable. The dogs, to the number of eight or ten, kept a few yards in front of me, barking, and every now and then throwing themselves forward on their fore-legs, as if about to spring. I flourished my sabre, shouted to them, and kept a good front, as I knew if I allowed my horse to turn, they would fasten on him. I was suddenly surprised by seeing something pass from behind me with great rapidity, and in an instant after saw the foremost dog seized by another and thrown down; then another and another. I took advantage of the break in their line, dashed through, and quickly arrived at the picket I was going to visit. I found the men under arms, and the corporal said he thought from the noise that the whole Turkish cavalry were in motion! When I was relating to the men the circumstance which had happened, my active ally made her appearance in the person of our hospital friend, who, I suppose, hearing the uproar, had come to the scene of action, and generously taken the side of the few against the many. Certainly, had it not been for my female canine auxiliary, I should have had the worst of the tulzie.

As some of the habits of the chameleon may not be generally known, I will take the liberty of mentioning a few of them, which came under my own observation.

One morning, on my return from parade, I saw, close to my own tent, a very large chameleon hanging on a bush. I immediately secured him, and provided a box for him to repose in. In the course of a very few days he became quite familiar, and having seen them before, I knew how to gain his affections—which, in the first place, was done by feeding him well; and, in the next place, by scratching his back with a feather! I used to put him on my table at breakfast, and in the course of a very few minutes I have seen him devour at least fifty flies, catching them in the most dexterous manner with his long and slimy tongue; nor does he ever move from his position; but so sure as an unfortunate fly comes within reach, so sure is he caught, and with the rapidity of thought. In the forenoon I always gave him a large slice of water-melon, the whole of which he devoured; and he generally supped on as many flies as he could manage to entrap, setting at defiance all the 'noble Hamlet's' theory of the chameleon's dish. Promises would not have suited him at all, being, at the end of each day, considerably more like a crammed capon than an air-fed chameleon.

It is not true that this animal will change colour according to what he is put on; but he will change shade according as he is pleased or displeased. His general hue is a bright green, with small gold spots over his body: he remains at this shade when he is highly pleased, by being in the sun, or being fed, or scratched, which he delights in. When angry-and he is very easily made so—his hue changes to a dusky green, almost to black, and the gold spots are not to be scen; but I never could perceive any other colour on his body but green, in a variety of shades: the spots enlarge very much when he is in good-humourso much, indeed, as to give a yellow tinge to the upper part of the animal; but in general they are merely little yellow spots here and there on the back and side. I carried him to Sicily, where he died, much regretted.