go to bed. Thus ends the first chapter.

[_Ansard gets up and takes Barnstaple's hand, which he shakes warmly
without speaking. Barnstaple smiles and walks out. Ansard is left
hard at work at his desk._

_Arthur Ansard in his Chambers, solus, with his pen in his hand._

_Ans._ Capital! that last was a _hit_. It has all the appearance of
reality. To be sure, I borrowed the hint, but that nobody will be able
to prove. (_Yawns._) Heigho! I have only got half-way on my journey yet,
and my ideas are quite exhausted. I am as much worn out and distressed
as one of the German post-horses which I described in my last chapter.
(_Nods, and then falls fast asleep_).

_Barnstaple taps at the door; receiving no answer, he enters._

_B._ So--quite fast. What can have put him to sleep? (_Reads the
manuscript on the table_). No wonder, enough to put anybody to sleep
apparently. Why, Ansard!

_A._ (_starting up, still half asleep._) Already? Why, I've hardly shut
my eyes. Well, I'll be dressed directly; let them get some _cafe_ ready
below. Henri, did you order the hind-spring to be repaired? (_Nods again
with his eyes shut._)

_B._ Hallo! What now, Ansard, do you really think that you are
travelling?

_A._ (_waking up._) Upon my word, Barnstaple, I was so dreaming. I
thought I was in my bed at the hotel de Londres, after the fatiguing
day's journey I described yesterday. I certainly have written myself
into the conviction that I was travelling post.

_B._ All the better--you have embodied yourself in your own work, which
every writer of fiction ought to do; but they can seldom attain to such
a desideratum. Now, tell me, how do you get on?

_A._ Thank you--pretty well. I have been going it with four post-horses
these last three weeks.

_B._ And how far have you got?

_A._ Half way--that is, into the middle of my second volume. But I'm
very glad that you're come to my assistance, Barnstaple; for, to tell
you the truth, I was breaking down.

_B._ Yes, you said something about the hind-spring of your carriage.

_A._ That I can repair without your assistance; but my spirits are
breaking down. I want society. This travelling post is dull work. Now,
if I could introduce a companion----

_B._ So you shall. At the next town that you stop at, buy a _Poodle_.

_A._ A _Poodle_! Barnstaple? How the devil shall I be assisted by a
poodle?

_B._ He will prove a more faithful friend to you in your exigence, and a
bette