commit him with a lovely young lady not far off, who had felt a tender

interest in the cheerful English captive. But after trying to express

once more the deep gratitude he felt towards those who had been so

wonderfully kind and friendly, he asked with a smile, and a little sigh

behind it, what he must do, if compelled by duty to resign his present

privileges.

"My faith! I scarcely know," replied Desportes; "I have never had such

a case before. But I think you must give me a written notice, signed by

yourself and by M. Jalais, and allow a week to pass, and then, unless

you have heard from me, present yourself to the commandant of the

nearest post, which must be, I suppose, at Etaples. Rather a rough man

he is; and I fear you will have reason for regret. The duty will then

remain with him. But I beg you, my dear friend, to continue as you are.

Tush, it is nothing but some smuggler's work."

Scudamore hoped that he might be right, and for some little time was not

disturbed by any appearance to the contrary. But early in the afternoon

one day, when the month of March was near its close, he left his books

for a little fresh air, and strolled into the orchard, where his friend

the ox was dwelling. This worthy animal, endowed with a virtue denied to

none except the human race, approached him lovingly, and begged to draw

attention to the gratifying difference betwixt wounds and scars. He

offered his broad brow to the hand, and his charitable ears to be

tickled, and breathed a quick issue of good feeling and fine feeding,

from the sensitive tucks of his nostrils, as a large-hearted smoker

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