When the Marquis had said this, he returned his sword into its
scabbard, made a bow to the guardians of it, - and, with his wife
and daughter, and his two sons following him, walk'd out.
O, how I envied him his feelings!
THE PASSPORT. VERSAILLES.
I found no difficulty in getting admittance to Monsieur le Count de
B-. The set of Shakespeares was laid upon the table, and he was
tumbling them over. I walk'd up close to the table, and giving
first such a look at the books as to make him conceive I knew what
they were, - I told him I had come without any one to present me,
knowing I should meet with a friend in his apartment, who, I
trusted, would do it for me: - it is my countryman, the great
Shakespeare, said I, pointing to his works - et ayez la boute, mon
cher ami, apostrophizing his spirit, added I, de me faire cet
honneur-la. -
The Count smiled at the singularity of the introduction; and seeing
I look'd a little pale and sickly, insisted upon my taking an arm-
chair; so I sat down; and to save him conjectures upon a visit so
out of all rule, I told him simply of the incident in the
bookseller's shop, and how that had impelled me rather to go to him
with the story of a little embarrassment I was under, than to any
other man in France. - And what is your embarrassment? let me hear
it, said the Count. So I told him the story just as I have told it
the reader.
- And the master of my hotel, said I, as I concluded it, will needs
have it, Monsieur le Count, that I shall be sent to the Bastile; -
but I have no apprehensions, continued I; - for, in falling into the
hands of the most polish'd people in the world, and being conscious
I was a true man, and not come to spy the nakedness of the land, I
scarce thought I lay at their mercy. - It does not suit the
gallantry of the French, Monsieur le Count, said I, to show it
against invalids.
An animated blush came into the Count de B-'s cheeks as I spoke
this. - Ne craignez rien - Don't fear, said he. - Indeed, I don't,
replied I again. - Besides, continued I, a little sportingly, I have
come laughing all the way from London to Paris, and I do not think
Monsieur le Duc de Choiseul is such an enemy to mirth as to send me
back crying for my pains.
- My application to you, Monsieur le Count de B- (making him a low
bow), is to desire he will not.
The Count heard me with great good nature, or I had not said half
as much, - and once or twice said, - C'est bien dit. So I rested my
cause there - and determined to say no more about it.
