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withdrawn, I asked in the same language if his name was d'Estrapes,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.
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