Part 50 (1/2)
Oliver could not keep his countenance, but laughed heartily for soet it over, Rayner,” he said; ”for otherwise I could not help bursting out every time I looked at you”
The maitre d'hotel, however, did not appear to think there was anything laughable in the appearance of the two Englishmen
”Oh, messieurs! you are ad you to the saloon” Saying this he took up the candles, and with stately step e room, in the centre of which was a table spread with a handso in, took the head of the table, and the young ladies, sailing like swans into the roouests, on the strangeness of whose costuhtest re fasting, but their spirits quickly revived after they had eaten some of the viands placed before them At first they supposed that the repast was served up solely on their account, but froirls and their mother kept them in countenance, they were satisfied that they had simply come in for the family supper
Rayner talked away, now to the old lady, now to the young one at his side, while Oliver found that he could converse much more fluently than he had supposed
After a time, however, they found it very difficult to keep their eyes open, and Rayner heard the old lady rearcons much required rest, and that it would be cruel to keep thely sue candlesticks Wishi+ng theht, the old lady advised them to follow the maitre d'hotel to their chaered off, more asleep than awake
”We are certainly in clover here,” remarked Oliver, as they reached their room; ”I question whether we shall be as well treated e reach Spanish territory; and I propose, if Mada to keep us, that we take up our quarters here until Peek is better able to travel than he is now”
”Certainly,” answered Rayner, taking off his silk coat and placing his sword on the table ”We'll talk of that to-morrow”
They had not placed their heads on their pillows many seconds before they both were fast asleep
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
CAPTURED
The shi+pwrecked midshi+pmen would probably have slept far into the next day had not Francois appeared with their clothes, nicely brushed and carefully mended, so that they were able to make a presentable appearance in their own characters before their hostesses
He had also brought the them that breakfast would be ready as soon as they were dressed in the salle-a-er
They found an abundant meal spread out, as Francois had prohters welcomed them kindly--the latter reathed smiles, the elder with a host of questions to which she did not wait for a reply
They were all three thorough Frenchwo, as Oliver observed, ”thirteen to the dozen”
Madalish sailor, who, she hoped, would, under her care, be quite well in a day or two ”I ought to warn you not to go out People in these parts are not well affected towards the English, and should it be discovered that I aet into trouble,” she added
Theladies produced their guitars, and sang with good voices several French airs Rayner and Oliver thought theet back to their shi+p as soon as possible, would gladly have remained in their society for an indefinite period
At last they begged leave to go down to see their uided to their roohter They found Le Duc seated on a three-legged stool on the top of a table fiddling ahile old Francois, three black woest possible fashi+on, whirling round and round, kicking up their heels, and joining hands, while Jack lay on a bed at the farther end of the rooet up and take a part in the dance
On seeing the strangers, Francois beca up to theht it as well,people going The poor sailors needed encouragement, and I like to make people happy”
”You succeeded well, Monsieur Francois,” remarked Rayner ”I will not interrupt them, but I have a feords to speak to my men”
He then told Tom and Brown that it was the wish of Madame La Roche that they should remain in the house, and not show themselves by any chance to the people outside
”In course, sir,” said Brown ”We are as happy as princes here They feed us with as ood welcoe too ed to you, Le Duc, for finding us such good quarters, and we shall be still rateful if you will accompany us to the Spanish border
I conclude you will then desire to return home”