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16 you, if only you engage that it is by no wrong or dishonourable act that I am passed out."

"I can assure you of that. There is no harm in my mode of liberating you and myself. For I must go with you to England; that is, if you like my company."

"My friend, my liberator, how shall I ever be able to show you how grateful I am? Perhaps, if you come with me to England, I may strive to show you a tithe of my gratitude. But how can we get out?"

"Hush! you have promised."

"Pardon me; it was so natural an exclamation. When will you come to take me away?"

"At eight. Be ready; but I can only take you, not your property; that must be left. Adieu!"

I can scarcely say how delighted I was at the prospect of deliverance. The condition seemed curious; but I was too glad at the hope of escape to trouble myself about it.

I packed up my things and locked my portmanteau, and asked my host to take great care of it when I paid my bill, and to let me have it when the siege was over.

"But, monsieur, you cannot possibly pass