ITwasinthemonthofMay1813thatIwassounluckyastofallatlastintothehandsoftheenemy。MyknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguagehadmarkedmeoutforacertainemployment。ThoughI
cannotconceiveasoldierrefusingtoincurtherisk，yettobehangedforaspyisadisgustingbusiness；andIwasrelievedtobeheldaprisonerofwar。IntotheCastleofEdinburgh，standinginthemidstofthatcityonthesummitofanextraordinaryrock，I
wascastwithseveralhundredfellow-sufferers，allprivateslikemyself，andthemorepartofthem，byanaccident，veryignorant，plainfellows。MyEnglish，whichhadbroughtmeintothatscrape，nowhelpedmeverymateriallytobearit。Ihadathousandadvantages。Iwasoftencalledtoplaythepartofaninterpreter，whetherofordersorcomplaints，andthusbroughtinrelations，sometimesofmirth，sometimesalmostoffriendship，withtheofficersincharge。Ayounglieutenantsingledmeouttobehisadversaryatchess，agameinwhichIwasextremelyproficient，andwouldrewardmeformygambitswithexcellentcigars。ThemajorofthebattaliontooklessonsofFrenchfrommewhileatbreakfast，andwassometimessoobligingastohavemejoinhimatthemeal。
Chevenixwashisname。Hewasstiffasadrum-majorandselfishasanEnglishman，butafairlyconscientiouspupilandafairlyuprightman。LittledidIsupposethathisramrodbodyandfrozenfacewould，intheend，stepinbetweenmeandallmydearestwishes；thatuponthisprecise，regular，icysoldier-manmyfortunesshouldsonearlyshipwreck！Ineverliked，butyetI
trustedhim；andthoughitmayseembutatrifle，Ifoundhissnuff-boxwiththebeaninitcomeverywelcome。
Foritisstrangehowgrownmenandseasonedsoldierscangobackinlife；sothatafterbutalittlewhileinprison，whichisafterallthenextthingtobeinginthenursery，theygrowabsorbedinthemostpitiful，childishinterests，andasugarbiscuitorapinchofsnuffbecomethingstofollowafterandschemefor！
Wemadebutapoorshowofprisoners。Theofficershadbeenallofferedtheirparole，andhadtakenit。Theylivedmostlyinsuburbsofthecity，lodgingwithmodestfamilies，andenjoyedtheirfreedomandsupportedthealmostcontinualeviltidingsoftheEmperorasbesttheymight。ItchancedIwastheonlygentlemanamongtheprivateswhoremained。AgreatpartwereignorantItalians，ofaregimentthathadsufferedheavilyinCatalonia。Therestweremerediggersofthesoil，treadersofgrapesorhewersofwood，whohadbeensuddenlyandviolentlypreferredtothegloriousstateofsoldiers。Wehadbuttheoneinterestincommon：eachofuswhohadanyskillwithhisfingerspassedthehoursofhiscaptivityinthemakingoflittletoysandARTICLESOFPARIS；andtheprisonwasdailyvisitedatcertainhoursbyaconcourseofpeopleofthecountry，cometoexultoverourdistress，or-itismoretoleranttosuppose-theirownvicarioustriumph。Somemovedamonguswithadecencyofshameorsympathy。Otherswerethemostoffensivepersonagesintheworld，gapedatusasifwehadbeenbaboons，soughttoevangeliseustotheirrustic，northernreligion，asthoughwehadbeensavages，ortortureduswithintelligenceofdisasterstothearmsofFrance。
Good，bad，andindifferent，therewasonealleviationtotheannoyanceofthesevisitors；foritwasthepracticeofalmostalltopurchasesomespecimenofourrudehandiwork。Thisled，amongsttheprisoners，toastrongspiritofcompetition。Somewereneatofhand，andthegeniusoftheFrenchbeingalwaysdistinguished
couldplaceuponsalelittlemiraclesofdexterityandtaste。Somehadamoreengagingappearance；finefeatureswerefoundtodoaswellasfinemerchandise，andanairofyouthinparticularasitappealedtothesentimentofpityinourvisitorstobeasourceofprofit。Othersagainenjoyedsomeacquaintancewiththelanguage，andwereabletorecommendthemoreagreeablytopurchaserssuchtriflesastheyhadtosell。TothefirstoftheseadvantagesIcouldlaynoclaim，formyfingerswereallthumbs。
SomeatleastoftheothersIpossessed；andfindingmuchentertainmentinourcommerce，Ididnotsuffermyadvantagestorust。Ihaveneverdespisedthesocialarts，inwhichitisanationalboastthateveryFrenchmanshouldexcel。Fortheapproachofparticularsortsofvisitors，Ihadaparticularmannerofaddress，andevenofappearance，whichIcouldreadilyassumeandchangeontheoccasionrising。Ineverlostanopportunitytoflattereitherthepersonofmyvisitor，ifitshouldbealady，or，ifitshouldbeaman，thegreatnessofhiscountryinwar。
Andincasemycomplimentsshouldmisstheiraim，Iwasalwaysreadytocovermyretreatwithsomeagreeablepleasantry，whichwouldoftenearnmethenameofan”oddity”ora”drollfellow。”
Inthisway，althoughIwassoleft-handedatoy-maker，Imadeouttoberatherasuccessfulmerchant；andfoundmeanstoprocuremanylittledelicaciesandalleviations，suchaschildrenorprisonersdesire。
Iamscarcelydrawingtheportraitofaverymelancholyman。Itisnotindeedmycharacter；andIhad，inacomparisonwithmycomrades，manyreasonsforcontent。Inthefirstplace，Ihadnofamily：Iwasanorphanandabachelor；neitherwifenorchildawaitedmeinFrance。Inthesecond，IhadneverwhollyforgottheemotionswithwhichIfirstfoundmyselfaprisoner；andalthoughamilitaryprisonbenotaltogetheragardenofdelights，itisstillpreferabletoagallows。Inthethird，Iamalmostashamedtosayit，butIfoundacertainpleasureinourplaceofresidence：beinganobsoleteandreallymediaevalfortress，highplacedandcommandingextraordinaryprospects，notonlyoversea，mountain，andchampaignbutactuallyoverthethoroughfaresofacapitalcity，whichwecouldseeblackenedbydaywiththemovingcrowdoftheinhabitants，andatnightshiningwithlamps。Andlastly，althoughIwasnotinsensibletotherestraintsofprisonorthescantinessofourrations，IrememberedIhadsometimeseatenquiteasillinSpain，andhadtomountguardandmarchperhapsadozenleaguesintothebargain。Thefirstofmytroubles，indeed，wasthecostumewewereobligedtowear。ThereisahorriblepracticeinEnglandtotrickoutinridiculousuniforms，andasitweretobrandinmass，notonlyconvictsbutmilitaryprisoners，andeventhechildrenincharityschools。Ithinksomemalignantgeniushadfoundhismasterpieceofironyinthedresswhichwewerecondemnedtowear：jacket，waistcoat，andtrousersofasulphurormustardyellow，andashirtorblue-and-whitestripedcotton。Itwasconspicuous，itwascheap，itpointedusouttolaughter-we，whowereoldsoldiers，usedtoarms，andsomeofusshowingnoblescars，-likeasetoflugubriouszaniesatafair。TheoldnameofthatrockonwhichourprisonstoodwasIhaveheardsincethenthePAINTEDHILL。Well，nowitwasallpaintedabrightyellowwithourcostumes；andthedressofthesoldierswhoguardedusbeingofcoursetheessentialBritishredrag，wemadeuptogethertheelementsofalivelypictureofhell。Ihaveagainandagainlookedrounduponmyfellow-prisoners，andfeltmyangerrise，andchokedupontears，tobeholdthemthusparodied。Themorepart，asIhavesaid，werepeasants，somewhatbetteredperhapsbythedrill-sergeant，butforallthatungainly，loutishfellows，withnomorethanamerebarrack-roomsmartnessofaddress：indeed，youcouldhaveseenourarmynowheremorediscreditablyrepresentedthaninthisCastleofEdinburgh。AndIusedtoseemyselfinfancy，andblush。Itseemedthatmymoreelegantcarriagewouldbutpointtheinsultofthetravesty。AndIrememberedthedayswhenIworethecoarsebuthonourablecoatofasoldier；andrememberedfurtherbackhowmanyofthenoble，thefair，andthegracioushadtakenadelighttotendmychildhood……ButI
mustnotrecallthesetenderandsorrowfulmemoriestwice；theirplaceisfurtheron，andIamnowuponanotherbusiness。TheperfidyoftheBritannicGovernmentstoodnowheremoreopenlyconfessedthaninoneparticularofourdiscipline：thatwewereshavedtwiceintheweek。Toamanwhohaslovedallhislifetobefreshshaven，canamoreirritatingindignitybedevised？
MondayandThursdaywerethedays。TaketheThursday，andconceivethepictureImustpresentbySundayevening！AndSaturday，whichwasalmostasbad，wasthegreatdayforvisitors。
Thosewhocametoourmarketwereofallqualities，menandwomen，theleanandthestout，theplainandthefairlypretty。Sure，ifpeopleatallunderstoodthepowerofbeauty，therewouldbenoprayersaddressedexcepttoVenus；andthemereprivilegeofbeholdingacomelywomanisworthpayingfor。Ourvisitors，uponthewhole，werenotmuchtoboastof；andyet，sittinginacornerandverymuchashamedofmyselfandmyabsurdappearance，Ihaveagainandagaintastedthefinest，therarest，andthemostetherealpleasuresinaglanceofaneyethatIshouldneverseeagain-andneverwantedto。Theflowerofthehedgerowandthestarinheavensatisfyanddelightus：howmuchmorethelookofthatexquisitebeingwhowascreatedtobearandrear，tomaddenandrejoice，mankind！
Therewasoneyoungladyinparticular，abouteighteenornineteen，tall，ofagallantcarriage，andwithaprofusionofhairinwhichthesunfoundthreadsofgold。AssoonasshecameinthecourtyardandshewasaratherfrequentvisitoritseemedIwasawareofit。Shehadanairofangeliccandour，yetofahighspirit；shesteppedlikeaDiana，everymovementwasnobleandfree。Onedaytherewasastrongeastwind；thebannerwasstrainingattheflagstaff；belowusthesmokeofthecitychimneysblewhitherandthitherinathousandcrazyvariations；andawayoutontheForthwecouldseetheshipslyingdowntoitandscudding。Iwasthinkingwhataviledayitwas，whensheappeared。Herhairblewinthewindwithchangesofcolour；hergarmentsmouldedherwiththeaccuracyofsculpture；theendsofhershawlflutteredaboutherearandwerecaughtinagainwithaninimitabledeftness。Youhaveseenapoolonagustyday，howitsuddenlysparklesandflasheslikeathingalive？Sothislady”sfacehadbecomeanimatedandcoloured；andasIsawherstanding，somewhatinclined，herlipsparted，adivinetroubleinhereyes，I
couldhaveclappedmyhandsinapplause，andwasreadytoacclaimheragenuinedaughterofthewinds。Whatputitinmyhead，I
knownot：perhapsbecauseitwasaThursdayandIwasnewfromtherazor；butIdeterminedtoengageherattentionnolaterthanthatday。ShewasapproachingthatpartofthecourtinwhichIsatwithmymerchandise，whenIobservedherhandkerchieftoescapefromherhandsandfalltotheground；thenextmomentthewindhadtakenitupandcarrieditwithinmyreach。Iwasonfootatonce：
Ihadforgotmymustard-colouredclothes，Ihadforgottheprivatesoldierandhissalute。Bowingdeeply，Iofferedhertheslipofcambric。”Madam”saidI，”yourhandkerchief。Thewindbroughtitme。”
Imethereyesfully。”Ithankyou，sir”saidshe。”Thewindbroughtitme”Irepeated。”MayInottakeitforanomen？YouhaveanEnglishproverb，“It”sanillwindthatblowsnobodygood。”””Well”shesaid，withasmile，”“Onegoodturndeservesanother。”
Iwillseewhatyouhave。”
Shefollowedmetowheremywareswerespreadoutunderleeofapieceofcannon。”Alas，mademoiselle！”saidI，”Iamnoveryperfectcraftsman。
Thisissupposedtobeahouse，andyouseethechimneysareawry。
Youmaycallthisaboxifyouareveryindulgent；butseewheremytoolslipped！Yes，Iamafraidyoumaygofromonetoanother，andfindaflawineverything。FAILURESFORSALEshouldbeonmysignboard。Idonotkeepashop；IkeepaHumorousMuseum。”I
castasmilingglanceaboutmydisplay，andthenather，andinstantlybecamegrave。”Strange，isitnot”Iadded，”thatagrownmanandasoldiershouldbeengageduponsuchtrash，andasadheartproduceanythingsofunnytolookat？”
AnunpleasantvoicesummonedheratthismomentbythenameofFlora，andshemadeahastypurchaseandrejoinedherparty。
Afewdaysaftershecameagain。ButImustfirsttellyouhowshecametobesofrequent。HerauntwasoneofthoseterribleBritisholdmaids，ofwhichtheworldhasheardmuch；andhavingnothingwhatevertodo，andawordortwoofFrench，shehadtakenwhatshecalledanINTERESTINTHEFRENCHPRISONERS。Abig，bustling，boldoldlady，sheflouncedaboutourmarket-placewithinsufferableairsofpatronageandcondescension。Shebought，indeed，withliberality，buthermannerofstudyingusthroughaquizzing-glass，andplayingciceronetoherfollowers，acquittedusofanygratitude。Shehadatailbehindherofheavy，obsequiousoldgentlemen，ordull，gigglingmisses，towhomsheappearedtobeanoracle。”Thisonecanreallycarveprettily：ishenotaquizwithhisbigwhiskers？”shewouldsay。”Andthisone”indicatingmyselfwithhergoldeye-glass，”is，Iassureyou，quiteanoddity。”Theoddity，youmaybecertain，groundhisteeth。Shehadawayofstandinginourmidst，noddingaround，andaddressingusinwhatsheimaginedtobeFrench：”BIENNE，HOMMES！CAVA
BIENNE？”Itookthefreedomtoreplyinthesamelingo：BIENNE，FEMME！CAVACOUCI-COUCITOUTD”MEME，LABOURGEOISE！”Andatthat，whenwehadalllaughedwithalittlemoreheartinessthanwasentirelycivil，”Itoldyouhewasquiteanoddity！”sayssheintriumph。Needlesstosay，thesepassageswerebeforeIhadremarkedtheniece。
Theauntcameonthedayinquestionwithafollowingrathermorethanusuallylarge，whichshemanoeuvredtoandfroaboutthemarketandlecturedtoatrathermorethanusuallength，andwithratherlessthanheraccustomedtact。Ikeptmyeyesdown，buttheywereeverfixedinthesamedirection，quiteinvain。Theauntcameandwent，andpulledusout，andshowedusoff，likecagedmonkeys；buttheniecekeptherselfontheoutskirtsofthecrowdandontheoppositesideofthecourtyard，anddepartedatlastasshehadcome，withoutasign。CloselyasIhadwatchedher，Icouldnotsayhereyeshadeverrestedonmeforaninstant；
andmyheartwasoverwhelmedwithbitternessandblackness。Itoreoutherdetestedimage；IfeltIwasdonewithherforever；I
laughedatmyselfsavagely，becauseIhadthoughttoplease；whenI
laydownatnightsleepforsookme，andIlay，androlled，andgloatedonhercharms，andcursedherinsensibility，forhalfthenight。HowtrivialIthoughther！andhowtrivialhersex！AmanmightbeanangeloranApollo，andamustard-colouredcoatwouldwhollyblindthemtohismerits。Iwasaprisoner，aslave，acontemnedanddespicablebeing，thebuttofhersniggeringcountrymen。Iwouldtakethelesson：noprouddaughterofmyfoesshouldhavethechancetomockatmeagain；noneinthefutureshouldhavethechancetothinkIhadlookedatherwithadmiration。Youcannotimagineanyoneofamoreresoluteandindependentspirit，orwhosebosomwasmorewhollymailedwithpatrioticarrogance，thanI。BeforeIdroppedasleep，IhadrememberedalltheinfamiesofBritain，anddebitedtheminanoverwhelmingcolumntoFlora。
Thenextday，asIsatinmyplace，Ibecameconscioustherewassomeonestandingnear；andbehold，itwasherself！Ikeptmyseat，atfirstintheconfusionofmymind，lateronfrompolicy；
andshestood，andleanedalittleoverme，asinpity。Shewasverystillandtimid；hervoicewaslow。DidIsufferinmycaptivity？sheaskedme。HadItocomplainofanyhardship？”Mademoiselle，Ihavenotlearnedtocomplain”saidI。”IamasoldierofNapoleon。”
Shesighed。”AtleastyoumustregretLAFRANCE”saidshe，andcolouredalittleasshepronouncedthewords，whichshedidwithaprettystrangenessofaccent。”WhatamItosay？”Ireplied。”Ifyouwerecarriedfromthiscountry，forwhichyouseemsowhollysuited，wheretheveryrainsandwindsseemtobecomeyoulikeornaments，wouldyouregret，doyouthink？Wemustsurelyallregret！thesontohismother，themantohiscountry；thesearenativefeelings。””Youhaveamother？”sheasked。”Inheaven，mademoiselle”Ianswered。”She，andmyfatheralso，wentbythesameroadtoheavenassomanyothersofthefairandbrave：theyfollowedtheirqueenuponthescaffold。So，yousee，I
amnotsomuchtobepitiedinmyprison”Icontinued：”therearenonetowaitforme；Iamaloneintheworld。”Tisadifferentcase，forinstance，withyonpoorfellowintheclothcap。Hisbedisnexttomine，andinthenightIhearhimsobbingtohimself。
Hehasatendercharacter，fulloftenderandprettysentiments；
andinthedarkatnight，andsometimesbydaywhenhecangetmeapartwithhim，helamentsamotherandasweetheart。Doyouknowwhatmadehimtakemeforaconfidant？”
Shepartedherlipswithalook，butdidnotspeak。Thelookburnedallthroughmewithasuddenvitalheat。”BecauseIhadonceseen，inmarchingby，thebelfryofhisvillage！”Icontinued。”Thecircumstanceisquaintenough。Itseemstobindupintoonethewholebundleofthosehumaninstinctsthatmakelifebeautiful，andpeopleandplacesdear-andfromwhichitwouldseemIamcutoff！”
Irestedmychinonmykneeandlookedbeforemeontheground。I
hadbeentalkinguntilthentoholdher；butIwasnownotsorrysheshouldgo：animpressionisathingsodelicatetoproduceandsoeasytooverthrow！Presentlysheseemedtomakeaneffort。”Iwilltakethistoy”shesaid，laidafive-and-sixpennypieceinmyhand，andwasgoneereIcouldthankher。
Iretiredtoaplaceapartneartherampartsandbehindagun。Thebeauty，theexpressionofhereyes，thetearthathadtrembledthere，thecompassioninhervoice，andakindofwildelegancethatconsecratedthefreedomofhermovements，allcombinedtoenslavemyimaginationandinflamemyheart。Whathadshesaid？
Nothingtosignify；buthereyeshadmetmine，andthefiretheyhadkindledburnedinextinguishablyinmyveins。Ilovedher；andIdidnotfeartohope。TwiceIhadspokenwithher；andinbothinterviewsIhadbeenwellinspired，Ihadengagedhersympathies，Ihadfoundwordsthatshemustremember，thatwouldringinherearsatnightuponherbed。WhatmatteredifIwerehalfshavedandmyclothesacaricature？Iwasstillaman，andIhaddrawnmyimageonhermemory。Iwasstillaman，and，asItrembledtorealise，shewasstillawoman。Manywaterscannotquenchlove；
andlove，whichisthelawoftheworld，wasonmyside。Iclosedmyeyes，andshespranguponthebackgroundofthedarkness，morebeautifulthaninlife。”Ah！”thoughtI，”andyoutoo，mydear，youtoomustcarryawaywithyouapicture，thatyouarestilltobeholdagainandstilltoembellish。Inthedarknessofnight，inthestreetsbyday，stillyouaretohavemyvoiceandface，whispering，makingloveforme，encroachingonyourshyheart。Shyasyourheartis，ITislodgedthere-Iamlodgedthere；letthehoursdotheiroffice-lettimecontinuetodrawmeeverinmorelively，everinmoreinsidiouscolours。”AndthenIhadavisionofmyself，andburstoutlaughing。
Alikelything，indeed，thatabeggar-man，aprivatesoldier，aprisonerinayellowtravesty，wastoawaketheinterestofthisfairgirl！Iwouldnotdespair；butIsawthegamemustbeplayedfineandclose。Itmustbemypolicytoholdmyselfbeforeher，alwaysinapatheticorpleasingattitude；nevertoalarmorstartleher；tokeepmyownsecretlockedinmybosomlikeastoryofdisgrace，andlethersifshecouldbeinducedtohaveone
growatitsownrate；tomovejustsofast，andnotbyahair”s-
breadthanyfaster，thantheinclinationofherheart。Iwastheman，andyetIwaspassive，tiedbythefootinprison。Icouldnotgotoher；Imustcastaspelluponherateachvisit，sothatsheshouldreturntome；andthiswasamatterofnicemanagement。
Ihaddoneitthelasttime-itseemedimpossiblesheshouldnotcomeagainafterourinterview；andforthenextIhadspeedilyripenedafreshplan。Aprisoner，ifhehasonegreatdisabilityforalover，hasyetoneconsiderableadvantage：thereisnothingtodistracthim，andhecanspendallhishoursripeninghisloveandpreparingitsmanifestations。Ihadbeenthensomedaysuponapieceofcarving，-nolessthantheemblemofScotland，theLionRampant。ThisIproceededtofinishwithwhatskillIwaspossessedof；andwhenatlastIcoulddonomoretoitand，youmaybesure，wasalreadyregrettingIhaddonesomuch，addedonthebasethefollowingdedication-
ALABELLEFLORA
LEPRISONNIERRECONNAISSANT
A。D。ST。Y。D。K。
Iputmyheartintothecarvingoftheseletters。Whatwasdonewithsomuchardour，itseemedscarcepossiblethatanyshouldbeholdwithindifference；andtheinitialswouldatleastsuggesttohermynoblebirth。Ithoughtitbettertosuggest：Ifeltthatmysterywasmystock-in-trade；thecontrastbetweenmyrankandmanners，betweenmyspeechandmyclothing，andthefactthatshecouldonlythinkofmebyacombinationofletters，mustalltendtoincreaseherinterestandengageherheart。
Thisdone，therewasnothingleftformebuttowaitandtohope。
Andthereisnothingfurtherfrommycharacter：inloveandinwar，Iamallfortheforwardmovement；andthesedaysofwaitingmademypurgatory。ItisafactthatIlovedheragreatdealbetterattheendofthem，forlovecomes，likebread，fromaperpetualrehandling。Andbesides，Iwasfallenintoapanicoffear。How，ifshecamenomore，howwasItocontinuetoenduremyemptydays？
howwasItofallbackandfindmyinterestinthemajor”slessons，thelieutenant”schess，inatwopennysaleinthemarket，orahalfpennyadditiontotheprisonfare？
Dayswentby，andweeks；Ihadnotthecouragetocalculate，andto-dayIhavenotthecouragetoremember；butatlastshewasthere。AtlastIsawherapproachmeinthecompanyofaboyaboutherownage，andwhomIdivinedatoncetobeherbrother。
Iroseandbowedinsilence。”Thisismybrother，Mr。RonaldGilchrist”saidshe。”Ihavetoldhimofyoursufferings。Heissosorryforyou！””ItismorethanIhavetherighttoask”Ireplied；”butamonggentlefolkthesegeneroussentimentsarenatural。IfyourbrotherandIweretomeetinthefield，weshouldmeetliketigers；butwhenheseesmeheredisarmedandhelpless，heforgetshisanimosity。”Atwhich，asIhadventuredtoexpect，thisbeardlesschampioncolouredtotheearsforpleasure。”Ah，mydearyounglady”Icontinued，”therearemanyofyourcountrymenlanguishinginmycountry，evenasIdohere。IcanbuthopethereisfoundsomeFrenchladytoconveytoeachofthemthepricelessconsolationofhersympathy。Youhavegivenmealms；andmorethanalms-hope；andwhileyouwereabsentIwasnotforgetful。SuffermetobeabletotellmyselfthatIhaveatleasttriedtomakeareturn；andfortheprisoner”ssakedeigntoacceptthistrifle。”
Sosaying，Iofferedhermylion，whichshetook，lookedatinsomeembarrassment，andthen，catchingsightofthededication，brokeoutwithacry。”Why，howdidyouknowmyname？”sheexclaimed。”Whennamesaresoappropriate，theyshouldbeeasilyguessed”
saidI，bowing。”Butindeed，therewasnomagicinthematter。A
ladycalledyoubynameonthedayIfoundyourhandkerchief，andI
wasquicktoremarkandcherishit。””Itisvery，verybeautiful”saidshe，”andIshallbealwaysproudoftheinscription-Come，Ronald，wemustbegoing。”Shebowedtomeasaladybowstoherequal，andpassedonIcouldhaveswornwithaheightenedcolour。
Iwasoverjoyed：myinnocentrusehadsucceeded；shehadtakenmygiftwithoutahintofpayment，andshewouldscarcesleepinpeacetillshehadmadeituptome。Nogreenhorninmattersoftheheart，IwasbesidesawarethatIhadnowaresidentambassadoratthecourtofmylady。Thelionmightbeillchiselled；itwasmine。Myhandshadmadeandheldit；myknife-or，tospeakmorebythemark，myrustynail-hadtracedthoseletters；andsimpleasthewordswere，theywouldkeeprepeatingtoherthatIwasgratefulandthatIfoundherfair。Theboyhadlookedlikeagawky，andblushedatacompliment；Icouldseebesidesthatheregardedmewithconsiderablesuspicion；yethemadesomanlyafigureofalad，thatIcouldnotwithholdfromhimmysympathy。
Andasfortheimpulsethathadmadeherbringandintroducehim，I
couldnotsufficientlyadmireit。Itseemedtomefinerthanwit，andmoretenderthanacaress。Itsaidplainaslanguage，”IdonotandIcannotknowyou。Hereismybrother-youcanknowhim；
thisisthewaytome-followit。”
CHAPTERII-ATALEOFAPAIROFSCISSORS
IWASstillplungedinthesethoughtswhenthebellwasrungthatdischargedourvisitorsintothestreet。Ourlittlemarketwasnosoonerclosedthanweweresummonedtothedistribution，andreceivedourrations，whichwewerethenallowedtoeataccordingtofancyinanypartofourquarters。
Ihavesaidtheconductofsomeofourvisitorswasunbearablyoffensive；itwaspossiblymoresothantheydreamed-asthesight-seersatamenageriemayoffendinathousandways，andquitewithoutmeaningit，thenobleandunfortunateanimalsbehindthebars；andthereisnodoubtbutsomeofmycompatriotsweresusceptiblebeyondreason。Someoftheseoldwhiskerandos，originallypeasants，trainedsinceboyhoodinvictoriousarmies，andaccustomedtomoveamongsubjectandtremblingpopulations，couldillbrooktheirchangeofcircumstance。TherewasonemanofthenameofGoguelat，abruteofthefirstwater，whohadenjoyednotouchofcivilisationbeyondthemilitarydiscipline，andhadrisenbyanextremeheroismofbraverytoagradeforwhichhewasotherwiseunfitted-thatofMARECHALDESLOGISinthe22ndoftheline。Insofarasabrutecanbeagoodsoldier，hewasagoodsoldier；theCrosswasonhisbreast，andgallantlyearned；butinallthingsoutsidehislineofdutythemanwasnootherthanabrawling，bruisingignorantpillaroflowpothouses。Asagentlemanbybirth，andascholarbytasteandeducation，Iwasthetypeofallthatheleastunderstoodandmostdetested；andthemereviewofourvisitorswouldleavehimdailyinatransportofannoyance，whichhewouldmakehastetowreakonthenearestvictim，andtoooftenonmyself。
Itwassonow。Ourrationswerescarceservedout，andIhadjustwithdrawnintoacorneroftheyard，whenIperceivedhimdrawingnear。Heworeanairofhatefulmirth；asetofyoungfools，amongwhomhepassedforawit，followedhimwithlooksofexpectation；
andIsawIwasabouttobetheobjectofsomeofhisinsufferablepleasantries。Hetookaplacebesideme，spreadouthisrations，dranktomederisivelyfromhismeasureofprisonbeer，andbegan。
Whathesaiditwouldbeimpossibletoprint；buthisadmirers，whobelievedtheirwittohavesurpassedhimself，actuallyrolledamongthegravel。Formypart，IthoughtatfirstIshouldhavedied。I
hadnotdreamedthewretchwassoobservant；buthatesharpenstheears，andhehadcountedourinterviewsandactuallyknewFlorabyhername。Graduallymycoolnessreturnedtome，accompaniedbyavolumeoflivingangerthatsurprisedmyself。”Areyounearlydone？”Iasked。”Becauseifyouare，Iamabouttosayawordortwomyself。””Oh，fairplay！”saidhe。”Turnabout！TheMarquisofCarabastothetribune。””Verywell”saidI。”IhavetoinformyouthatIamagentleman。
Youdonotknowwhatthatmeans，hey？Well，Iwilltellyou。Itisacomicalsortofanimal；springsfromanotherstrangesetofcreaturestheycallancestors；and，incommonwithtoadsandothervermin，hasathingthathecallsfeelings。Thelionisagentleman；hewillnottouchcarrion。Iamagentleman，andI
cannotbeartosoilmyfingerswithsuchalumpofdirt。Sitstill，PhilippeGoguelat！sitstillanddonotsayaword，orI
shallknowyouareacoward；theeyesofourguardsareuponus。
Hereisyourhealth！”saidI，andpledgedhimintheprisonbeer。”Youhavechosentospeakinacertainwayofayoungchild”I
continued，”whomightbeyourdaughter，andwhowasgivingalmstomeandsomeothersofusmendicants。IftheEmperor”-saluting-”ifmyEmperorcouldhearyou，hewouldpluckofftheCrossfromyourgrossbody。Icannotdothat；IcannottakeawaywhatHisMajestyhasgiven；butonethingIpromiseyou-Ipromiseyou，Goguelat，youshallbedeadto-night。”
Ihadbornesomuchfromhiminthepast，Ibelievehethoughttherewasnoendtomyforbearance，andhewasatfirstamazed。
ButIhavethepleasuretothinkthatsomeofmyexpressionshadpiercedthroughhisthickhide；andbesides，thebrutewastrulyaheroofvalour，andlovedfightingforitself。Whateverthecause，atleast，hehadsoonpulledhimselftogether，andtookthethingtodohimjusticehandsomely。”AndIpromiseyou，bythedevil”shorns，thatyoushallhavethechance！”saidhe，andpledgedmeagain；andagainIdidhimscrupuloushonour。
Thenewsofthisdefiancespreadfromprisonertoprisonerwiththespeedofwings；everyfacewasseentobeilluminatedlikethoseofthespectatorsatahorse-race；andindeedyoumustfirsthavetastedtheactivelifeofasoldier，andthenmoulderedforawhileinthetediumofajail，inordertounderstand，perhapseventoexcuse，thedelightofourcompanions。GoguelatandIsleptinthesamesquad，whichgreatlysimplifiedthebusiness；andacommitteeofhonourwasaccordinglyformedofourshed-mates。Theychoseforpresidentasergeant-majorinthe4thDragoons，agreybeardofthearmy，anexcellentmilitarysubject，andagoodman。Hetookthemostseriousviewofhisfunctions，visitedusboth，andreportedourrepliestothecommittee。Minewasofadecentfirmness。I
toldhimtheyoungladyofwhomGoguelathadspokenhadonseveraloccasionsgivenmealms。Iremindedhimthat，ifwewerenowreducedtoholdoutourhandsandsellpill-boxesforcharity，itwassomethingverynewforsoldiersoftheEmpire。Wehadallseenbanditsstandingatacornerofawoodtrucklingforcopperhalfpence，andaftertheirbenefactorsweregonespittingoutinjuriesandcurses。”But”saidI，”Itrustthatnoneofuswillfallsolow。AsaFrenchmanandasoldier，Iowethatyoungchildgratitude，andamboundtoprotecthercharacter，andtosupportthatofthearmy。Youaremyelderandmysuperior：tellmeifI
amnotright。”
Hewasaquiet-manneredoldfellow，andpattedmewiththreefingersontheback。”C”ESTBIEN，MONENFANT”sayshe，andreturnedtohiscommittee。
Goguelatwasnomoreaccommodatingthanmyself。”Idonotlikeapologiesnorthosethatmakethem”washisonlyanswer。Andthereremainednothingbuttoarrangethedetailsofthemeeting。
Sofarasregardsplaceandtimewehadnochoice；wemustsettlethedisputeatnight，inthedark，afteraroundhadpassedby，andintheopenmiddleoftheshedunderwhichweslept。Thequestionofarmswasmoreobscure。Wehadagoodmanytools，indeed，whichweemployedinthemanufactureofourtoys；buttheywerenoneofthemsuitedforasinglecombatbetweencivilisedmen，and，beingnondescript，itwasfoundextremelyhardtoequalisethechancesofthecombatants。Atlengthapairofscissorswasunscrewed；andacoupleoftoughwandsbeingfoundinacornerofthecourtyard，onebladeofthescissorswaslashedsolidlytoeachwithresinedtwine-thetwinecomingIknownotwhence，buttheresinfromthegreenpillarsoftheshed，whichstillsweatedfromtheaxe。Itwasastrangethingtofeelinone”shandthisweapon，whichwasnoheavierthanariding-rod，andwhichitwasdifficulttosupposewouldprovemoredangerous。Ageneraloathwasadministeredandtaken，thatnooneshouldinterfereintheduelnorsupposeittoresultseriouslybetraythenameofthesurvivor。Andwiththat，allbeingthenready，wecomposedourselvestoawaitthemoment。
Theeveningfellcloudy；notastarwastobeseenwhenthefirstroundofthenightpassedthroughourshedandwoundoffalongtheramparts；andaswetookourplaces，wecouldstillhear，overthemurmursofthesurroundingcity，thesentrieschallengingitsfurtherpassage。Leclos，thesergeant-major，setusinourstations，engagedourwands，andleftus。Toavoidblood-stainedclothing，myadversaryandIhadstrippedtotheshoes；andthechillofthenightenvelopedourbodieslikeawetsheet。Themanwasbetteratfencingthanmyself；hewasvastlytallerthanI，beingofastaturealmostgigantic，andproportionatelystrong。Intheinkyblacknessoftheshed，itwasimpossibletoseehiseyes；
andfromthesupplenessofthewands，Ididnotliketotrusttoaparade。Imadeupmymindaccordinglytoprofit，ifImight，bymydefect；andassoonasthesignalshouldbegiven，tothrowmyselfdownandlungeatthesamemoment。Itwastoplaymylifeupononecard：shouldInotmortallywoundhim，nodefencewouldbeleftme；
whatwasyetmoreappalling，Ithusrantheriskofbringingmyownfaceagainsthisscissorwiththedoubleforceofourassaults，andmyfaceandeyesarenotthatpartofmethatIwouldthemostreadilyexpose。”ALLEZ！”saidthesergeant-major。
Bothlungedinthesamemomentwithanequalfury，andbutformymanoeuvrebothhadcertainlybeenspitted。Asitwas，hedidnomorethanstrikemyshoulder，whilemyscissorplungedbelowthegirdleintoamortalpart；andthatgreatbulkofaman，fallingfromhiswholeheight，knockedmeimmediatelysenseless。
WhenIcametomyselfIwaslaidinmyownsleeping-place，andcouldmakeoutinthedarknesstheoutlineofperhapsadozenheadscrowdedaroundme。Isatup。”Whatisit？”Iexclaimed。”Hush！”saidthesergeant-major。”BlessedbeGod，alliswell。”I
felthimclaspmyhand，andthereweretearsinhisvoice。””Tisbutascratch，mychild；hereispapa，whoistakinggoodcareofyou。Yourshoulderisboundup；wehavedressedyouinyourclothesagain，anditwillallbewell。”
AtthisIbegantoremember。”AndGoguelat？”Igasped。”Hecannotbeartobemoved；hehashisbellyful；”tisabadbusiness”saidthesergeant-major。
Theideaofhavingkilledamanwithsuchaninstrumentashalfapairofscissorsseemedtoturnmystomach。IamsureImighthavekilledadozenwithafirelock，asabre，abayonet，oranyacceptedweapon，andbeenvisitedbynosuchsicknessofremorse。Andtothisfeelingeveryunusualcircumstanceofourrencounter，thedarknessinwhichwehadfought，ournakedness，eventheresinonthetwine，appearedtocontribute。Irantomyfallenadversary，kneeledbyhim，andcouldonlysobhisname。
Hebademecomposemyself。”Youhavegivenmethekeyofthefields，comrade”saidhe。”SANSRANCUNE！”
Atthismyhorrorredoubled。HerehadwetwoexpatriatedFrenchmenengagedinanill-regulatedcombatlikethebattlesofbeasts。
Herewashe，whohadbeenallhislifesogreataruffian，dyinginaforeignlandofthisignobleinjury，andmeetingdeathwithsomethingofthespiritofaBayard。Iinsistedthattheguardsshouldbesummonedandadoctorbrought。”Itmaystillbepossibletosavehim”Icried。
Thesergeant-majorremindedmeofourengagement。”Ifyouhadbeenwounded”saidhe，”youmusthavelaintheretillthepatrolcamebyandfoundyou。IthappenstobeGoguelat-andsomusthe！
Come，child，timetogotoby-by。”AndasIstillresisted，”Champdivers！”hesaid，”thisisweakness。Youpainme。””Ay，offtoyourbedswithyou！”saidGoguelat，andnamedusinacompanywithoneofhisjovialgrossepithets。
Accordinglythesquadlaydowninthedarkandsimulated，whattheycertainlywerefarfromexperiencing，sleep。Itwasnotyetlate。
Thecity，fromfarbelow，andallaroundus，sentupasoundofwheelsandfeetandlivelyvoices。Yetawhile，andthecurtainofthecloudwasrentacross，andinthespaceofskybetweentheeavesoftheshedandtheirregularoutlineoftherampartsamultitudeofstarsappeared。Meantime，inthemidstofuslayGoguelat，andcouldnotalwayswithholdhimselffromgroaning。
Weheardtheroundfaroff；hearditdrawslowlynearer。Lastofall，itturnedthecornerandmovedintoourfieldofvision：twofileofmenandacorporalwithalantern，whichheswungtoandfro，soastocastitslightintherecessesoftheyardsandsheds。”Hullo！”criedthecorporal，pausingashecamebyGoguelat。
Hestoopedwithhislantern。Allourheartswereflying。”Whatdevil”sworkisthis？”hecried，andwithastartlingvoicesummonedtheguard。
Wewereallafootupontheinstant；morelanternsandsoldierscrowdedinfrontoftheshed；anofficerelbowedhiswayin。Inthemidstwasthebignakedbody，soiledwithblood。Someonehadcoveredhimwithhisblanket；butashelaythereinagony，hehadpartlythrownitoff。”Thisismurder！”criedtheofficer。”Youwildbeasts，youwillhearofthisto-morrow。”
AsGoguelatwasraisedandlaiduponastretcher，hecriedtousacheerfulandblasphemousfarewell。
CHAPTERIII-MAJORCHEVENIXCOMESINTOTHESTORY，ANDGOGUELAT
GOESOUT
THEREwasneveranytalkofarecovery，andnotimewaslostingettingtheman”sdeposition。Hegavebuttheoneaccountofit：
thathehadcommittedsuicidebecausehewassickofseeingsomanyEnglishmen。Thedoctorvoweditwasimpossible，thenatureanddirectionofthewoundforbiddingit。Goguelatrepliedthathewasmoreingeniousthantheotherthoughtfor，andhadproppeduptheweaponinthegroundandfallenonthepoint-”justlikeNebuchadnezzar”headded，winkingtotheassistants。Thedoctor，whowasalittle，spruce，ruddymanofanimpatienttemper，pishedandpshawedandsworeoverhispatient。”Nothingtobemadeofhim！”hecried。”Aperfectheathen。Ifwecouldonlyfindtheweapon！”Buttheweaponhadceasedtoexist。Alittleresinedtwinewasperhapsblowingaboutinthecastlegutters；somebitsofbrokenstickmayhavetrailedincorners；andbehold，inthepleasantairofthemorning，adandyprisonertrimminghisnailswithapairofscissors！
Findingthewoundedmansofirm，youmaybesuretheauthoritiesdidnotleavetherestofusinpeace。Nostonewasleftunturned。
Wewerehadinagainandagaintobeexamined，nowsingly，nowintwosandthrees。Wewerethreatenedwithallsortsofimpossibleseveritiesandtemptedwithallmannerofimprobablerewards。I
supposeIwasfivetimesinterrogated，andcameofffromeachwithflyingcolours。IamlikeoldSouvaroff，Icannotunderstandasoldierbeingtakenabackbyanyquestion；heshouldanswer，ashemarchesonthefire，withaninstantbrisknessandgaiety。Imayhavebeenshortofbread，goldorgrace；Iwasneveryetfoundwantinginananswer。Mycomrades，iftheywerenotallsoready，werenoneofthemlessstaunch；andImaysayhereatoncethattheinquirycametonothingatthetime，andthedeathofGoguelatremainedamysteryoftheprison。SuchweretheveteransofFrance！AndyetIshouldbedisingenuousifIdidnotownthiswasacaseapart；inordinarycircumstances，someonemighthavestumbledorbeenintimidatedintoanadmission；andwhatboundustogetherwithaclosenessbeyondthatofmerecomradeswasasecrettowhichwewereallcommittedandadesigninwhichallwereequallyengaged。Noneedtoinquireastoitsnature：thereisonlyonedesire，andonlyonekindofdesign，thatbloomsinprisons。Andthefactthatourtunnelwasneardonesupportedandinspiredus。
Icameoffinpublic，asIhavesaid，withflyingcolours；thesittingsofthecourtofinquirydiedawaylikeatunethatnoonelistensto；andyetIwasunmasked-I，whommyveryadversarydefended，asgoodasconfessed，asgoodastoldthenatureofthequarrel，andbysodoingpreparedformyselfinthefutureamostanxious，disagreeableadventure。Itwasthethirdmorningaftertheduel，andGoguelatwasstillinlife，whenthetimecameroundformetogiveMajorChevenixalesson。Iwasfondofthisoccupation；notthathepaidmemuch-nomore，indeed，thaneighteenpenceamonth，thecustomaryfigure，beingamiserinthegrain；butbecauseIlikedhisbreakfastsandtosomeextent
himself。Atleast，hewasamanofeducation；andoftheotherswithwhomIhadanyopportunityofspeech，thosethatwouldnothaveheldabookupsidedownwouldhavetornthepagesoutforpipe-
lights。ForImustrepeatagainthatourbodyofprisonerswasexceptional：therewasinEdinburghCastlenoneofthateducationalbusynessthatdistinguishedsomeoftheotherprisons，sothatmenenteredthemunabletoread，andleftthemfitforhighemployments。Chevenixwashandsome，andsurprisinglyyoungtobeamajor：sixfeetinhisstockings，wellsetup，withregularfeaturesandverycleargreyeyes。Itwasimpossibletopickafaultinhim，andyetthesum-totalwasdispleasing。Perhapshewastooclean；heseemedtobearaboutwithhimthesmellofsoap。
Cleanlinessisgood，butIcannotbearaman”snailstoseemjapanned。Andcertainlyhewastooself-possessedandcold。Therewasnoneofthefireofyouth，noneoftheswiftnessofthesoldier，inthisyoungofficer。Hiskindnesswascold，andcruelcold；hisdeliberationexasperating。Andperhapsitwasfromthischaracter，whichisverymuchtheoppositeofmyown，thateveninthesedays，whenhewasofservicetome，Iapproachedhimwithsuspicionandreserve。
Ilookedoverhisexerciseintheusualform，andmarkedsixfaults。”H”m。Six”sayshe，lookingatthepaper。”Veryannoying！Icannevergetitright。””Oh，butyoumakeexcellentprogress！”Isaid。Iwouldnotdiscouragehim，youunderstand，buthewascongenitallyunabletolearnFrench。Somefire，Ithink，isneedful，andhehadquenchedhisfireinsoapsuds。
Heputtheexercisedown，leanedhischinuponhishand，andlookedatmewithclear，severeeyes。”Ithinkwemusthavealittletalk”saidhe。”Iamentirelyatyourdisposition”Ireplied；butIquaked，forI
knewwhatsubjecttoexpect。”Youhavebeensometimegivingmetheselessons”hewenton，”andIamtemptedtothinkratherwellofyou。Ibelieveyouareagentleman。””Ihavethathonour，sir”saidI。”Youhaveseenmeforthesameperiod。IdonotknowhowIstrikeyou；butperhapsyouwillbepreparedtobelievethatIalsoamamanofhonour”saidhe。”Irequirenoassurances；thethingismanifest”andIbowed。”Verywell，then”saidhe。”WhataboutthisGoguelat？””Youheardmeyesterdaybeforethecourt”Ibegan。”Iwasawakenedonly-””Ohyes；I“heardyouyesterdaybeforethecourt，“nodoubt”heinterrupted，”andIrememberperfectlythatyouwere“awakenedonly。”Icouldrepeatthemostofitbyrote，indeed。ButdoyousupposethatIbelievedyouforamoment？””NeitherwouldyoubelievemeifIweretorepeatithere”saidI。”Imaybewrong-weshallsoonsee”sayshe；”butmyimpressionisthatyouwillnot“repeatithere。”Myimpressionisthatyouhavecomeintothisroom，andthatyouwilltellmesomethingbeforeyougoout。”
Ishruggedmyshoulders。”Letmeexplain”hecontinued。”Yourevidence，ofcourse，isnonsense。Iputitby，andthecourtputitby。””Mycomplimentsandthanks！”saidI。”YouMUSTknow-that”stheshortandthelong”heproceeded。”AllofyouinshedBareboundtoknow。AndIwanttoaskyouwhereisthecommon-senseofkeepingupthisfarce，andmaintainingthiscock-and-bullstorybetweenfriends。Come，come，mygoodfellow，ownyourselfbeaten，andlaughatityourself。””Well，Ihearyou，goahead”saidI。”Youputyourheartinit。”
Hecrossedhislegsslowly。”Icanverywellunderstand”hebegan，”thatprecautionshavehadtobetaken。Idaresayanoathwasadministered。Icancomprehendthatperfectly。”Hewaswatchingmeallthetimewithhiscold，brighteyes。”AndIcancomprehendthat，aboutanaffairofhonour，youwouldbeveryparticulartokeepit。””Aboutanaffairofhonour？”Irepeated，likeamanquitepuzzled。”Itwasnotanaffairofhonour，then？”heasked。”Whatwasnot？Idonotfollow”saidI。
Hegavenosignofimpatience；simplysatawhilesilent，andbeganagaininthesameplacidandgood-naturedvoice：”ThecourtandI
wereatoneinsettingasideyourevidence。Itcouldnotdeceiveachild。Buttherewasadifferencebetweenmyselfandtheotherofficers，becauseIKNEWMYMANandtheydidnot。Theysawinyouacommonsoldier，andIknewyouforagentleman。Tothemyourevidencewasaleashoflies，whichtheyyawnedtohearyoutelling。Now，Iwasaskingmyself，howfarwillagentlemango？
Notsurelysofarastohelphushamurderup？Sothat-whenI
heardyoutellhowyouknewnothingofthematter，andwereonlyawakenedbythecorporal，andalltherestofit-Itranslatedyourstatementsintosomethingelse。Now，Champdivers”hecried，springinguplivelyandcomingtowardsmewithanimation，”Iamgoingtotellyouwhatthatwas，andyouaregoingtohelpmetoseejusticedone：how，Idon”tknow，forofcourseyouareunderoath-butsomehow。MarkwhatI”mgoingtosay。”
Atthatmomenthelaidaheavy，hardgripuponmyshoulder；andwhetherhesaidanythingmoreorcametoafullstopatonce，IamsureIcouldnottellyoutothisday。For，asthedevilwouldhaveit，theshoulderhelaidholdofwastheoneGoguelathadpinked。Thewoundwasbutascratch；itwashealingwiththefirstintention；butintheclutchofMajorChevenixitgavemeagony。
Myheadswam；thesweatpouredoffmyface；Imusthavegrowndeadlypale。
Heremovedhishandassuddenlyashehadlaiditthere。”Whatiswrongwithyou？”saidhe。”Itisnothing”saidI。”Aqualm。Ithasgoneby。””Areyousure？”saidhe。”Youareaswhiteasasheet。””Ohno，Iassureyou！Nothingwhatever。Iammyownmanagain”I
said，thoughIcouldscarcecommandmytongue。”Well，shallIgoonagain？”sayshe。”Canyoufollowme？””Oh，byallmeans！”saidI，andmoppedmystreamingfaceuponmysleeve，foryoumaybesureinthosedaysIhadnohandkerchief。”Ifyouaresureyoucanfollowme。Thatwasaverysuddenandsharpseizure”hesaiddoubtfully。”Butifyouaresure，allright，andheregoes。Anaffairofhonouramongyoufellowswould，naturally，bealittledifficulttocarryout，perhapsitwouldbeimpossibletohaveitwhollyregular。Andyetaduelmightbeveryirregularinform，and，underthepeculiarcircumstancesofthecase，loyalenoughineffect。Doyoutakeme？Now，asagentlemanandasoldier。”
Hishandroseagainatthewordsandhoveredoverme。Icouldbearnomore，andwincedawayfromhim。”No”Icried，”notthat。Donotputyourhanduponmyshoulder。Icannotbearit。Itisrheumatism”Imadehastetoadd。”Myshoulderisinflamedandverypainful。”
Hereturnedtohischairanddeliberatelylightedacigar。”Iamsorryaboutyourshoulder”hesaidatlast。”Letmesendforthedoctor。””Notintheleast”saidI。”Itisatrifle。Iamquiteusedtoit。Itdoesnottroublemeinthesmallest。Atanyrate，Idon”tbelieveindoctors。””Allright”saidhe，andsatandsmokedagoodwhileinasilencewhichIwouldhavegivenanythingtobreak。”Well”hebeganpresently，”Ibelievethereisnothingleftformetolearn。I
presumeImaysaythatIknowall。””Aboutwhat？”saidIboldly。”AboutGoguelat”saidhe。”Ibegyourpardon。Icannotconceive”saidI。”Oh”saysthemajor，”themanfellinaduel，andbyyourhand！I
amnotaninfant。””Bynomeans”saidI。”Butyouseemtometobeagooddealofatheorist。””Shallwetestit？”heasked。”Thedoctoriscloseby。Ifthereisnotanopenwoundonyourshoulder，Iamwrong。Ifthereis-”
Hewavedhishand。”ButIadviseyoutothinktwice。Thereisadeuceofanastydrawbacktotheexperiment-thatwhatmighthaveremainedprivatebetweenustwobecomespublicproperty。””Oh，well！”saidI，withalaugh，”anythingratherthanadoctor！
Icannotbearthebreed。”
Hislastwordshadagooddealrelievedme，butIwasstillfarfromcomfortable。
MajorChevenixsmokedawhile，lookingnowathiscigarash，nowatme。”I”masoldiermyself”hesayspresently，”andI”vebeenoutinmytimeandhitmyman。Idon”twanttorunanyoneintoacornerforanaffairthatwasatallnecessaryorcorrect。Atthesametime，Iwanttoknowthatmuch，andI”lltakeyourwordofhonourforit。Otherwise，Ishallbeverysorry，butthedoctormustbecalledin。””Ineitheradmitanythingnordenyanything”Ireturned。”Butifthisformofwordswillsufficeyou，hereiswhatIsay：Igiveyoumyparole，asagentlemanandasoldier，therehasnothingtakenplaceamongstusprisonersthatwasnothonourableastheday。””Allright”sayshe。”ThatwasallIwanted。Youcangonow，Champdivers。”
AndasIwasgoingoutheadded，withalaugh：”Bythebye，Ioughttoapologise：IhadnoideaIwasapplyingthetorture！”
Thesameafternoonthedoctorcameintothecourtyardwithapieceofpaperinhishand。Heseemedhotandangry，andhadcertainlynomindtobepolite。”Here！”hecried。”WhichofyoufellowsknowsanyEnglish？Oh！”-
spyingme-”thereyouare，what”syourname！YOU”LLdo。Tellthesefellowsthattheotherfellow”sdying。He”sbooked；nousetalking；Iexpecthe”llgobyevening。AndtellthemIdon”tenvythefeelingsofthefellowwhospikedhim。Tellthemthatfirst。”
Ididso。”Thenyoucantell”em”heresumed，”thatthefellow，Goggle-
what”shisname？-wantstoseesomeofthembeforehegetshismarchingorders。IfIgotitright，hewantstokissorembraceyou，orsomesickeningstuff。Gotthat？Thenhere”salisthe”shadwritten，andyou”dbetterreaditouttothem-Ican”tmakeheadortailofyourbeastlynames-andtheycananswerPRESENT，andfallinagainstthatwall。”
ItwaswithasingularmovementofincongruousfeelingsthatIreadthefirstnameonthelist。Ihadnowishtolookagainonmyownhandiwork；myfleshrecoiledfromtheidea；andhowcouldIbesurewhatreceptionhedesignedtogiveme？Thecurewasinmyownhand；Icouldpassthatfirstnameover-thedoctorwouldnotknow-andImightstayaway。Buttothesubsequentgreatgladnessofmyheart，Ididnotdwellforaninstantonthethought，walkedovertothedesignatedwall，facedabout，readoutthename”Champdivers”andansweredmyselfwiththeword”Present。”
Thereweresomehalfdozenonthelist，alltold；andassoonasweweremustered，thedoctorledthewaytothehospital，andwefollowedafter，likeafatigueparty，insinglefile。Atthedoorhepaused，toldus”thefellow”wouldseeeachofusalone，and，assoonasIhadexplainedthat，sentmebymyselfintotheward。Itwasasmallroom，whitewashed；asouthwindowstoodopenonavastdepthofairandaspaciousanddistantprospect；andfromdeepbelow，intheGrassmarketthevoicesofhawkerscameupclearandfaraway。Hardby，onalittlebed，layGoguelat。Thesunburnhadnotyetfadedfromhisface，andthestampofdeathwasalreadythere。Therewassomethingwildandunmannishinhissmile，thattookmebythethroat；onlydeathandloveknoworhaveeverseenit。Andwhenhespoke，itseemedtoshamehiscoarsetalk。
Heheldouthisarmsasiftoembraceme。Idrewnearwithincredibleshrinkings，andsurrenderedmyselftohisarmswithoverwhelmingdisgust。Butheonlydrewmyeardowntohislips。”Trustme”hewhispered。”JESUISBONBOUGRE，MOI。I”lltakeittohellwithme，andtellthedevil。”
WhyshouldIgoontoreproducehisgrossnessandtrivialities？
Allthathethought，atthathour，wasevennoble，thoughhecouldnotclotheitotherwisethaninthelanguageofabrutalfarce。
Presentlyhebademecallthedoctor；andwhenthatofficerhadcomein，raisedalittleupinhisbed，pointedfirsttohimselfandthentome，whostoodweepingbyhisside，andseveraltimesrepeatedtheexpression，”Frinds-frinds-damfrinds。”
Tomygreatsurprise，thedoctorappearedverymuchaffected。Henoddedhislittlebob-wiggedheadatus，andsaidrepeatedly，”Allright，Johnny-mecomprong。”
ThenGoguelatshookhandswithme，embracedmeagain，andIwentoutoftheroomsobbinglikeaninfant。
HowoftenhaveInotseenit，thatthemostunpardonablefellowsmakethehappiestexits！Itisafatewemaywellenvythem。
Goguelatwasdetestedinlife；inthelastthreedays，byhisadmirablestaunchnessandconsideration，hewoneveryheart；andwhenwordwentabouttheprisonthesameeveningthathewasnomore，thevoiceofconversationbecamehushedasinahouseofmourning。
FormyselfIwaslikeamandistracted；Icannotthinkwhatailedme：whenIawokethefollowingday，nothingremainedofit；butthatnightIwasfilledwithagloomyfuryofthenerves。Ihadkilledhim；hehaddonehisutmosttoprotectme；Ihadseenhimwiththatawfulsmile。Andsoillogicalanduselessisthissentimentofremorse，thatIwasready，atawordoralook，toquarrelwithsomebodyelse。Ipresumethedispositionofmymindwasimprintedonmyface；andwhen，alittleafter，Iovertook，salutedandaddressedthedoctor，helookedonmewithcommiserationandsurprise。
Ihadaskedhimifitwastrue。”Yes”hesaid，”thefellow”sgone。””Didhesuffermuch？”Iasked。”Devilabit；passedawaylikealamb”saidhe。Helookedonmealittle，andIsawhishandgotohisfob。”Here，takethat！nosenseinfretting”hesaid，and，puttingasilvertwo-penny-bitinmyhand，heleftme。
Ishouldhavehadthattwopennyframedtohanguponthewall，foritwastheman”soneactofcharityinallmyknowledgeofhim。
Insteadofthat，Istoodlookingatitinmyhandandlaughedoutbitterly，asIrealisedhismistake；thenwenttotheramparts，andflungitfarintotheairlikebloodmoney。Thenightwasfalling；
throughanembrasureandacrossthegardenedvalleyIsawthelamplightershastingalongPrincesStreetwithladderandlamp，andlookedonmoodily。AsIwassostandingahandwaslaiduponmyshoulder，andIturnedabout。ItwasMajorChevenix，dressedfortheevening，andhisneckclothreallyadmirablyfolded。Ineverdeniedthemancoulddress。”Ah！”saidhe，”Ithoughtitwasyou，Champdivers。Sohe”sgone？”
Inodded。”Come，come”saidhe，”youmustcheerup。Ofcourseit”sverydistressing，verypainfulandallthat。Butdoyouknow，itain”tsuchabadthingeitherforyouorme？WhatwithhisdeathandyourvisittohimIamentirelyreassured。”
SoIwastoowemylifetoGoguelatateverypoint。”Ihadrathernotdiscussit”saidI。”Well”saidhe，”onewordmore，andI”llagreetoburythesubject。Whatdidyoufightabout？””Oh，whatdomeneverfightabout？”Icried。”Alady？”saidhe。
Ishruggedmyshoulders。”Deuceyoudid！”saidhe。”Ishouldscarcehavethoughtitofhim。”
Andatthismyill-humourbrokefairlyoutinwords。”He！”I
cried。”Heneverdaredtoaddressher-onlytolookatherandvomithisvileinsults！Shemayhavegivenhimsixpence：ifshedid，itmaytakehimtoheavenyet！”
AtthisIbecameawareofhiseyessetuponmewithaconsideringlook，andbroughtupsharply。”Well，well”saidhe。”Goodnighttoyou，Champdivers。Cometomeatbreakfast-timeto-morrow，andwe”lltalkofothersubjects。”
Ifullyadmittheman”sconductwasnotbad：inwritingitdownsolongaftertheeventsIcanevenseethatitwasgood。
CHAPTERIV-ST。IVESGETSABUNDLEOFBANKNOTES
IWASsurprisedonemorning，shortlyafter，tofindmyselftheobjectofmarkedconsiderationbyacivilianandastranger。Thiswasamanofthemiddleage；hehadafaceofamulberrycolour，roundblackeyes，comicaltuftedeyebrows，andaprotuberantforehead；andwasdressedinclothesofaQuakerishcut。Inspiteofhisplainness，hehadthatinscrutableairofamanwell-to-doinhisaffairs。Iconceivedhehadbeensomewhileobservingmefromadistance，forasparrowsatbetwixtusquiteunalarmedonthebreechofapieceofcannon。Sosoonasoureyesmet，hedrewnearandaddressedmeintheFrenchlanguage，whichhespokewithagoodfluencybutanabominableaccent。”IhavethepleasureofaddressingMonsieurleVicomteAnnedeKeroualdeSaint-Yves？”saidhe。”Well”saidI，”Idonotcallmyselfallthat；butIhavearightto，ifIchose。InthemeanwhileIcallmyselfplainChampdivers，atyourdisposal。Itwasmymother”sname，andgoodtogosoldieringwith。””Ithinknotquite”saidhe；”forifIrememberrightly，yourmotheralsohadtheparticle。HernamewasFlorimondedeChampdivers。””Rightagain！”saidI，”andIamextremelypleasedtomeetagentlemansowellinformedinmyquarterings。IsmonsieurBornhimself？”ThisIsaidwithagreatairofassumption，partlytoconcealthedegreeofcuriositywithwhichmyvisitorhadinspiredme，andinpartbecauseitstruckmeashighlyincongruousandcomicalinmyprisongarbandonthelipsofaprivatesoldier。
Heseemedtothinksotoo，forhelaughed。”No，sir”hereturned，speakingthistimeinEnglish；”Iamnot“BORN，“asyoucallit，andmustcontentmyselfwithDYING，ofwhichIamequallysusceptiblewiththebestofyou。MynameisMr。Romaine-DanielRomaine-asolicitorofLondonCity，atyourservice；and，whatwillperhapsinterestyoumore，Iamhereattherequestofyourgreat-uncle，theCount。””What！”Icried，”doesM。deKeroualdeSt-Yvesremembertheexistenceofsuchapersonasmyself，andwillhedeigntocountkinshipwithasoldierofNapoleon？””YouspeakEnglishwell”observedmyvisitor。”Ithasbeenasecondlanguagetomefromachild”saidI。”IhadanEnglishnurse；myfatherspokeEnglishwithme；andIwasfinishedbyacountrymanofyoursandadearfriendofmine，aMr。
Vicary。”
Astrongexpressionofinterestcameintothelawyer”sface。”What！”hecried，”youknewpoorVicary？””Formorethanayear”saidI；”andsharedhishiding-placeformanymonths。””AndIwashisclerk，andhavesucceededhiminbusiness”saidhe。”Excellentman！ItwasontheaffairsofM。deKeroualthathewenttothataccursedcountry，fromwhichhewasneverdestinedtoreturn。Doyouchancetoknowhisend，sir？””Iamsorry”saidI，”Ido。Heperishedmiserablyatthehandsofagangofbanditti，suchaswecallCHAUFFEURS。Inaword，hewastortured，anddiedofit。See”Iadded，kickingoffoneshoe，forIhadnostockings；”Iwasnomorethanachild，andseehowtheyhadbeguntotreatmyself。”
Helookedatthemarkofmyoldburnwithacertainshrinking。”Beastlypeople！”Iheardhimmuttertohimself。”TheEnglishmaysaysowithagoodgrace”Iobservedpolitely。
SuchspeecheswerethecoininwhichIpaidmywayamongthiscredulousrace。Ninetypercent。ofourvisitorswouldhaveacceptedtheremarkasnaturalinitselfandcreditabletomypowersofjudgment，butitappearedmylawyerwasmoreacute。”Youarenotentirelyafool，Iperceive”saidhe。”No”saidI；”notwholly。””Andyetitiswelltobewareoftheironicalmood”hecontinued。”Itisadangerousinstrument。Yourgreat-unclehas，Ibelieve，practiseditverymuch，untilitisnowbecomeaproblemwhathemeans。””Andthatbringsmebacktowhatyouwilladmitisamostnaturalinquiry”saidI。”TowhatdoIowethepleasureofthisvisit？
howdidyourecogniseme？andhowdidyouknowIwashere？”
Carefullseparatinghiscoatskirts，thelawyertookaseatbesidemeontheedgeoftheflags。