FOOTNOTES:
[3] If the young lady would please to sit down.
[4] That she might sit down without inconvenience.
[5] I perceive I have the honour to speak to an English nobleman.
[6] How? are you then well acquainted with the English?
[7] I passed part of my youth in their service.—— They are the best masters in the world.
[8] Do you speak English, my friend?
[9] It is almost nineteen years, since my master—my poor master, died in my arms; had he lived, for he was quite a young man, I should have passed my life with him—I should have returned with him to England—Ah! that England is a charming country!
[10] Of this pretty maid.
[11] Some little necessaries, bargains, at the neighbouring town.
[12] A burning fever seized him at Milan; his companions seemed to have but little affection for the sick.
[13] Why not stay there?
[14] Ah, Sir! I was rich, and I longed eagerly to share my riches with a pretty young woman with whom I was distractedly in love.
[15] I know not how it happened, my English money, which I thought inexhaustible, diminished by little and little; and at length it was necessary to think what I was to do for my wife and my two little girls.
[16] Yes, gentlemen, we were indeed poor; but we were very, very happy!
[17] Oh! Theresa!—and you, my poor Suzette, I lament ye!—bitterly I still deplore your loss!
[18] I know well—I know, that we must learn to suffer!
[19] So here I am, gentlemen, at fifty years old, without bread to eat. But it is not that which troubles me—If I could get a comfortable place for my poor Madelon, all would be well!
[20] Your name?
[21] Baptiste La Fere. But the name under which I served as a soldier and as a servant is Le Limosin.
[22] Tell me then.
[23] See, my Lord; have the goodness to look at this watch.
[24] Yes, my Lord; be so good as to observe. There is his cypher, H. C. M. and there the family crest.