A poet named Duval is in the habit of singing songs against the government, and particularly against Barras. Amongst those who listen to him is a great lady, who falls in love with him. She acquaints him with this fact, but as he is already married, he repulses her. The lady immediately denounces him to Barras, with whom she is friendly. Duval is condemned to exile. The condemned man's wife comes to Barras in tears, and begs to accompany her husband into exile. The Tribunal consents on condition that she delivered to the captain of the ship an envelope fastened with red seals, and bearing the inscription, "You will not open this letter until you reach 49 degrees, 54 minutes latitude south and 67 degrees, 52 minutes longitude east." The captain and the young pair soon become friends, and the days pass happily until the time comes for the opening of the letter. The captain finds it contains instructions to shoot the exile. He apprises the victim of the news.
