Even the impassible Englishman felt his heart soften as he brushed away the tear that trembled on his lashes. Then looking at Roland, he said: “It is unfortunate that you are so hurried; I should have been pleased and delighted to spend a day or two with you.”
“Where were you going, my lord, when I met you?”
“Oh, I? Nowhere. I am travelling to get over being bored. I am unfortunately often bored.”
“So that you were going nowhere?”
“I was going everywhere.”
“That is exactly the same thing,” said the young officer, smiling. “Well, will you do something for me?”
“Oh! very willingly, if it is possible.”
“Perfectly possible; it depends only on you.”
“What is it?”
“Had I been killed you were going to take me to my mother or throw me into the Rhone.”