"Read," said O'Brien, handing her the letter. She read the letter, and putting it into her neckerchief, desired him to follow her. O'Brien beckoned me to come, and we went into a small room. "What can I do for you?" said the woman; "I will do all in my power; but, alas! you will march from here in two or three days." "Never mind," replied O'Brien, "we will talk the matter over by-and-by, but at present only oblige us by letting us remain in this little room; we do not wish to be seen." "_Comment donc_!--you a conscript, and not wish to be seen! Are you, then, intending to desert?" "Answer me one question; you have read that letter, do you intend to act up to its purport, as your sister requests?" "As I hope for mercy I will, if I suffer everything. She is a dear sister, and would not write so earnestly if she had not strong reasons. My house and everything you command are yours--can I say more?" "What is your name?" inquired O'Brien. "Louise Eustache; you might have read it on the letter." "Are you married?" "O yes, these six years. My husband is seldom at home; he is a Flushing pilot. A hard life, harder even that that of a soldier. Who is this lad?" "He is my brother, who, if I go as a soldier, intends to volunteer as a drummer." "_Pauvre enfant! c'est dommage_." The cabaret was full of conscripts and other people, so that the hostess had enough to do. At night we were shown by her into a small bedroom, adjoining the room we occupied. "You are quite alone here: the conscripts are to muster to-morrow, I find, in the _Place d'Armes_, at two o'clock: do you intend to go?" "No," replied O'Brien; "they will think that I am behind. It is of no consequence." "Well," replied the woman, "do as you please, you may trust me; but I am so busy, without anyone to assist me, that until they leave the town, I can hardly find time to speak to you." "That will be soon enough, my good hostess," replied O'Brien: "_au revoir_." The next evening, the woman came in, in some alarm, stating that a conscript had arrived whose name had been given in before, and that the person who had given it in had not mustered at the place. That the conscript had declared that his pass had been stolen from him by a person with whom he had stopped at St. Nicholas, and that there were orders for a strict search to be made through the town, as it was known that some English officers had escaped, and it was supposed that one of them had obtained the pass. "Surely you're not English?" inquired the woman, looking earnestly at O'Brien. "Indeed, but I am, my dear," replied O'Brien; "and so is this lad with me; and the favour which your sister requires is that you help us over the water, for which service there are one hundred louis ready to be paid upon delivery of us." "_Oh, mon Dieu! mais c'est impossible_." "Impossible!" replied O'Brien; "was that the answer I gave your sister in her trouble?" "_Au moins c'est difficile_."