d and dismayed at this message, when he understood
it was sent by a soldier; though he was conscious to himself of no
crime, all that he had heard of the Bastille appeared to his
imagination with aggravated horror, but it was not before I had waited a
considerable time that he had resolution enough to bid the servant show
me up-stairs.

When I entered his chamber, he returned my bow with great civility,
and endeavoured, with forced complaisance, to disguise his fear, which
appeared in the paleness of his face, the wildness of his looks, and
the shaking of his limbs. I was diverted at his consternation, which
redoubled, when I told him in French, I had business for his private ear
and demanded a particular audience. The valet being withdrawn, I asked
in the same language if his name was d'Estrapes, to which he answered
with a faltering tongue, "The same, at your service." "Are you a
Frenchman?" Said I. "I have not the honour of being a Frenchman born,"
replied he, "but I have an infinite veneration for the country." I then
desired he would do me the honour to look at me, which he no sooner did
than, struck with my appearance, he started back, and cried in
English, "O Jesus!--sure it can't! No 'tis impossible!" I smiled at his
interjections, saying, "I suppose you are too much of a gentleman to own
your friend in adversity." When he heard me pronounce these words in
our own language, he leaped upon me in a transport of joy, hung about
my neck, kissed me from ear to ear, and blubbered like a great schoolboy
who had been whipped. Then, observing my dress, he set up his throat,
crying, "O Lord! O Lord! that ever I should live to see my dearest
friend reduced to the condition of a foot soldier in the French service!
Why did you consent to my leaving you?--but I know the reason--you
thought you had got more creditable friends, and grew ashamed of my
acquaintance. Ah! Lord help us! though I was a little short-sighted, I
was not altogether blind: and though I did not complain, I was not the
less sensible of your unkindness, which was indeed the only thing that
induced me to ramble abroad, the Lord knows whither; but I must own
it has been a lucky ramble for me, and so I forgive you, and may God
forgive you! O Lord! Lord! is it come to this?" I was nettled at the
charge, which, though just, I could not help thinking unseasonable, and
told him with some tartness that, whether his suspicions were well or
ill grounded, he might have