Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/216

 through France and Germany to Trieste, and get home by the Mediterranean. For a moment he gazed with astonishment, and then exclaimed—"Mon Dieu! quelle persévérance." After some further conversation, he desired me not hastily to depart, but to return to the woods, and there wait a few days; he would then be able to say positively, whether he could assist us or not; at any rate, he would then lend us some money. As for that, I replied, with an air of indifference, he was as well able to lend us money now, as he would be a week hence, and that, if he refused, I should, in the evening, join my comrades, and immediately proceed on our journey. I saw that this kind of "hauteur," became necessary; for it was evident his object was to gain time, in order to ascertain the validity of Mansell's bills, and, satisfied on that head, he did not intend letting so good a speculation escape. I therefore requested, in a tone of respectful firmness, a decided answer; this he declined, and left me.

Many reasons may be assigned for this man's conduct; but, it is probable, the