"Unluckily the Spaniards, after the peace of Paris, laid claim to these islands; their claim was considered just by the Court of France, which gave them up on condition they indemnified me for the money I had laid out."
"But did they do so?"
"Yes, my dear friend, they gave me a million francs!"
"A million francs? Peste! what a pretty sum."
It will be observed that the good abbé nearly swore.
"Now," continued he, "where are you going?..."
"I am going to Havre."
"What to do? Forgive me, friend, perhaps I am inquisitive."
"Inquisitive? Oh, certainly not!... I am going to Havre to see a frigate of which the king has made me captain."
"What is its name?..."