Part 42 (1/2)

The aid-de-cauests in a tolerably coed an Irish canteen woman, ent, with her six children, to sleep where she could A large fire was burning in front of this tent, and threw its purple light over the grassy pools of the eht, calling to their notice that they ht see from the door of the tent the ently on the Tweed, a proof that it had not yet sunk The sight of this appeared to delight the leader of the fishermen infinitely

Chapter XXIV The Treasure

The French gentleman whom Spithead had announced to Monk, and who, closely wrapped in his cloak, had passed by the fishereneral's tent five entle his eyes around hiiven, he was conducted to the tent of the general The gentleman was left alone in the sort of ante-chamber in front of the principal body of the tent, where he awaited Monk, who only delayed till he had heard the report of his people, and observed through the opening of the canvas the countenance of the person who solicited an audience

Without doubt, the report of those who had accoentleman established the discretion hich he had behaved, for the first ier received of the welcoeneral was more favorable than he could have expected at such a moment, and on the part of so suspicious ato his custoer, he fixed upon hier, on his part, sustained without eeneral n of attention

”My lord,” said the gentlelish, ”I have requested an intervieith your honor, for an affair of importance”

”Monsieur,” replied Monk, in French, ”you speak our language well for a son of the continent I ask your pardon--for doubtless the question is indiscreet--do you speak French with the sa, lish tolerably; I resided for soland in es to this country” These words were spoken in French, and with a purity of accent that bespoke not only a Frenchman, but a Frenchland have you resided in, monsieur?”

”In my youth, London, my lord; then, about 1635, I made a pleasure trip to Scotland; and lastly, in 1648, I lived for soardens of which are now occupied by your army”

”Excuse me, monsieur; but you must comprehend that these questions are necessary on my part--do you not?”

”It would astonish me, my lord, if they were not asked”

”Now, then, monsieur, what can I do to serve you? What do you wish?”

”This, my lord;--but, in the first place, are we alone?”

”Perfectly so, uards us”

So saying, Monk pulled open the canvas with his hand, and pointed to the soldier placed at ten paces from the tent, and who, at the first call, could have rendered assistance in a second

”In that case, entleth of time in habits of intimacy with his interlocutor, ”I have made up my mind to address myself to you, because I believe you to be an honest man Indeed, the communication I am about to make to you will prove to you the esteee, which established between hientleer's face, and with a sensible irony conveyed by the inflection of his voice alone, for not a muscle of his face moved,--”I thank you, monsieur,” said he; ”but, in the first place, to who?”

”I sent you eant, my lord”

”Excuse him, monsieur, he is a Scotsman,--he could not retain it”

”I a

”The Co to recollect the name

”Pardon me, monsieur, but this appears to be the first time I have ever heard that name Do you fill any post at the court of France?”

”None; I a Charles I ht of the Garter, and Queen Anne of Austria has given nities”

”The Garter! the Holy Ghost! Are you a knight of those two orders, monsieur?”