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ultimate chance of escape should be so small。 The man who had
fallen was one Sombref； a peasant； he was one who slept in a
different part of the Castle； and I was thus assured that the whole
of my former companions had attained their liberty； and Shed A was
untenanted。
From this we wandered insensibly into other topics。 It is
impossible to exaggerate the pleasure I took to be thus sitting at
the same table with Flora； in the clothes of a gentleman； at
liberty and in the full possession of my spirits and resources； of
all of which I had need； because it was necessary that I should
support at the same time two opposite characters； and at once play
the cavalier and lively soldier for the eyes of Ronald； and to the
ears of Flora maintain the same profound and sentimental note that
I had already sounded。 Certainly there are days when all goes well
with a man； when his wit； his digestion； his mistress are in a
conspiracy to spoil him； and even the weather smiles upon his
wishes。 I will only say of myself upon that evening that I
surpassed my expectations； and was privileged to delight my hosts。
Little by little they forgot their terrors and I my caution； until
at last we were brought back to earth by a catastrophe that might
very easily have been foreseen； but was not the less astonishing to
us when it occurred。
I had filled all the glasses。 'I have a toast to propose；' I
whispered； 'or rather three； but all so inextricably interwoven
that they will not bear dividing。 I wish first to drink to the
health of a brave and therefore a generous enemy。 He found me
disarmed； a fugitive and helpless。 Like the lion； he disdained so
poor a triumph； and when he might have vindicated an easy valour；
he preferred to make a friend。 I wish that we should next drink to
a fairer and a more tender foe。 She found me in prison； she
cheered me with a priceless sympathy； what she has done since； I
know she has done in mercy； and I only pray … I dare scarce hope …
her mercy may prove to have been merciful。 And I wish to conjoin
with these； for the first； and perhaps the last time； the health …
and I fear I may already say the memory … of one who has fought；
not always without success； against the soldiers of your nation；
but who came here； vanquished already； only to be vanquished again
by the loyal hand of the one； by the unforgettable eyes of the
other。'
It is to be feared I may have lent at times a certain resonancy to
my voice； it is to be feared that Ronald； who was none the better
for his own hospitality； may have set down his glass with something
of a clang。 Whatever may have been the cause； at least； I had
scarce finished my compliment before we were aware of a thump upon
the ceiling overhead。 It was to be thought some very solid body
had descended to the floor from the level （possibly） of a bed。 I
have never seen consternation painted in more lively colours than
on the faces of my hosts。 It was proposed to smuggle me forth into
the garden； or to conceal my form under a horsehair sofa which
stood against the wall。 For the first expedient； as was now plain
by the approaching footsteps； there was no longer time； from the
second I recoiled with indignation。
'My dear creatures；' said I； 'let us die； but do not let us be
ridiculous。'
The words were still upon my lips when the door opened and my
friend of the gold eyeglass appeared； a memorable figure； on the
threshold。 In one hand she bore a bedroom candlestick； in the
other； with the steadiness of a dragoon； a horse…pistol。 She was
wound about in shawls which did not wholly conceal the candid
fabric of her nightdress； and surmounted by a nightcap of
portentous architecture。 Thus accoutred； she made her entrance；
laid down the candle and pistol； as no longer called for； looked
about the room with a silence more eloquent than oaths； and then；
in a thrilling voice … 'To whom have I the pleasure？' she said；
addressing me with a ghost of a bow。
'Madam； I am charmed； I am sure；' said I。 'The story is a little
long； and our meeting； however welcome； was for the moment entirely
unexpected by myself。 I am sure … ' but here I found I was quite
sure of nothing； and tried again。 'I have the honour；' I began；
and found I had the honour to be only exceedingly confused。 With
that； I threw myself outright upon her mercy。 'Madam； I must be
more frank with you；' I resumed。 'You have already proved your
charity and compassion for the French prisoners； I am one of these；
and if my appearance be not too much changed； you may even yet
recognise in me that ODDITY who had the good fortune more than once
to make you smile。'
Still gazing upon me through her glass； she uttered an
uncompromising grunt； and then； turning to her niece … 'Flora；'
said she； 'how comes he here？'
The culprits poured out for a while an antiphony of explanations；
which died out at last in a miserable silence。
'I think at least you might have told your aunt；' she snorted。
'Madam；' I interposed； 'they were about to do so。 It is my fault
if it be not done already。 But I made it my prayer that your
slumbers might be respected； and this necessary formula of my
presentation should be delayed until to…morrow in the morning。'
The old lady regarded me with undissembled incredulity； to which I
was able to find no better repartee than a profound and I trust
graceful reverence。
'French prisoners are very well in their place；' she said； 'but I
cannot see that their place is in my private dining…room。'
'Madam；' said I； 'I hope it may be said without offence； but
（except the Castle of Edinburgh） I cannot think upon the spot from
which I would so readily be absent。'
At this； to my relief； I thought I could perceive a vestige of a
smile to steal upon that iron countenance and to be bitten
immediately in。
'And if it is a fair question； what do they call ye？' she asked。
'At your service； the Vicomte Anne de St。…Yves；' said I。
'Mosha the Viscount；' said she； 'I am afraid you do us plain people
a great deal too much honour。'
'My dear lady；' said I； 'let us be serious for a moment。 What was
I to do？ Where was I to go？ And how can you be angry with these
benevolent children who took pity on one so unfortunate as myself？
Your humble servant is no such terrific adventurer that you should
come out against him with horse…pistol and' … smiling … 'bedroom
candlesticks。 It is but a young gentleman in extreme distress；
hunted upon every side； and asking no more than to escape from his
pursuers。 I know your character； I read it in your face' … the
heart trembled in my body as I said these daring words。 'There are
unhappy English prisoners in France at this day； perhaps at this
hour。 Perhaps at this hour they kneel as I do； they take the hand
of her who might c