"'I'll think of it,' says Captain Brand.
"And he does think of it, and to such purpose that in an hour he has left Regis and is posting back to London.
"Monsieur Mortlake comes to me and tells me all this.
"'Calembours, I have a job for you,' says my friend. His language is never refined. Ouf! how can it be? But I laugh, amused, and I applaud, for my perception is swifter than Monsieur's tongue; it has skipped on a mile of the plan, and turned to meet the tardy wit of my Mortlake.
"'So be it,' I cry, with smiles. 'You want me to put you in those cavalry boots of Captain Brand, that you may win his castle and his Marguerite.'
"To my surprise my friend writhes with anger—half chokes over this:
"'His castle and his Marguerite? Hang him! I have a better right than he to them.'
"And becomes immediately mysterious, close as a mute.
"When we reach London, and find that Monsieur le Capitaine is really selling his commission in the Guards, and going to America, my Mortlake reveals his well-considered plot to me.
"'Calembours, you are such a plausible rogue,' says my coarse friend, 'that you might be a great help to me in the plan I've thought of.'