the Temple, but from a neighbouring house she had the satisfaction of daily beholding her husband, as he paced to and fro in the courts of the Temple-a feeling in which her captive partner fully participated.

In the attempts for Sir Sidney's liberation, it appears that the ladies always took the initiative. Madame de T. devised and communicated a plan to a sensible and courageous young person of her acquaintance, who acceded immediately to it without hesitation. This convert to the cause of our hero was also influenced, like the three Muse-named ladies, by sentiments of what he conceived to be the true patriotism, for, in giving his adhesion to the cause of the prisoners, he said to Madame de T. "I will serve Sir Sidney Smith with pleasure, because I believe that the English government intend to restore Louis XVIII. to the throne. But if the commodore is to fight against France, and not for the King of France, Heaven forbid that I should assist."

At this time, there were several agents of the emigrant king who were confined in the Temple, and to effect whose liberation a M. l'Oiseau was assiduously labouring. It was therefore proposed that all should go off together, that is to say, Sir Sidney's party and the royalist agents. One of these, a M. la Vilheurnois, being condemned to

only one year's confinement, was resolved not to entail upon himself any more evils, but quietly to remain until he should be relieved by the due course of his sentence; but the two others, Brothien and Duverne de Presle, had agreed to join in the attempt.

For some unexplained reasons, this plan completely failed, not improbably owing to the treachery or the misconduct of M. Le Presle; but of this we speak doubtingly. However, it is in these words that Sir Sidney Smith himself inculpates him: "Had our scheme succeeded, this Duverne would not, perhaps, have ceased to be an honest man; for, till then, he had conducted himself as such. His condition must now be truly deplorable, for I do not think him formed by nature for the commission of crimes."

CHAPTER X.

Another attempt to escape made by boring-The general disaffection to the Directorial Government of FranceThe failure of the attempt to escape-The urbanity of the jailer of the Temple-Anecdotes concerning him.

As M. C. l'Oiseau was indefatigable in making his preparations, they were soon in such a state of forwardness, that it was immediately resolved the attempt should be made. As all the arrangements seemed the best that could be adopted under existing circumstances, our gallant officer and his companions determined to follow them up to the best of their abilities.

In the cellar that adjoined the prison, it was purposed to make an excavation sufficiently wide to admit freely the passage of one person, but which it would be necessary to make twelve feet long. A Mademoiselle D, who generously abetted these attempts, in order to mask their

operations, nobly rejecting every prudential consideration, came and resided in the apartments over this cellar, of which premises the prisoners' confederates had contrived to possess themselves, and they were consequently completely at their disposal.

As Mademoiselle D was young and attractive, the other lodgers in the mansion attributed to her alone the frequent visits of Charles l'Oiseau. The lovers of romantic adventure will perceive that here is plot involved within plot, and sufficient elements of confusion to form a Spanish comedy.

Everything for some time seemed to proceed favourably, and the hopes of the incarcerated rose correspondingly. No one unconnected with the scheme, residing in the house, had any suspicions of the undermining that was thus actively going forward. Miss D also brought with her an amiable little child, only seven years of age, who was so well tutored that, instead of betraying the secret, she was in the habit of continually beating a little drum, with which she drowned the noise made by the work of excavation.

Hitherto M. l'Oiseau had alone worked upon this hole, and, as he had now laboured a considerable time, he began to fear, very naturally, that

he had commenced and driven forward his operations much too deeply in the earth; it was therefore necessary that the wall should be sounded, and, for this purpose, an experienced mason was requisite. Madame de T. who seems, after all, to have acted as the tutelary genius of this escapade, undertook to procure one-an office as delicate as it was dangerous, in times when suspicion was so active, and death so closely attendant on suspicion. She succeeded, and not only brought him, but engaged to detain him in the cellar until all the prisoners had effected their liberation, which was to take place on that very day. No sooner was this worthy artificer conveyed into the cellár, and instructed as to the nature of his services, than he immediately perceived that he was to be made the instrument to assist some of the victims of the government. However, he proceeded without hesitation, and he only stipulated with the parties employing him in this hazardous business, that, if he were arrested, care should be taken of his poor children.

All this must strike every one, that the disaffection to the then government must have been. though secret from terror, as general, we may add, as just. Multitudes were willing to thwart its projects, or deal out to it some blow, providing there was the probability only of impunity.