CHAPTER XX.
Our young hero must have slept soundly, for he did not awake when, in the dusk of the evening, Dame Moret and her daughter entered the room, quietly laid a cloth, put some cold fowl and ham upon the table, and finally lighted a lamp, which aroused him. He started up in great surprise, and seeing Dame Moret, said—
“I was so overpowered with sleep that I could really not resist indulging. I fear I am putting you to a great deal of trouble.”
“Oh no, monsieur, that you are not. I know how madame would have me act if she knew you were here; and now I know who you are, I am as anxious to serve you as madame herself. But I pray you take some supper; I have given your man his in the kitchen; he seems a very kind, simple-hearted creature, anxious to do anything; and after you have supped we will have half-an-hour’s conversation.”
“It will afford me much pleasure, my good dame,” said our hero, “for I long to ask a great many questions.”
“Very well; now pray take your supper, and I will come up by-and-by, when I have put some things to rights for your man. It’s a pity he does not understand our language.”
“Oh, he will pick it up very soon, Dame Moret,” said Lieutenant Thornton, with a smile, “for he is inclined to go to the fountain head for instruction.”
The good dame laughed, and hoping he would make a good meal, retired.
Our hero did eat heartily, for he was but one-and-twenty, and of a high and fearless disposition, and his critical situation did not trouble him; he scarcely bestowed a thought upon it. The loss of his time from his profession was the only thing that vexed him, and he resolved in a day or two to make an attempt to get off in a boat, and take his chance of reaching England, or some vessel of war.
When Dame Moret thought he had finished his supper, she and her daughter Annette re-entered the room. The latter removed the things, and the dame sat down, first putting a bottle of excellent Burgundy before our hero.