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Chapter 15 But it is an indubitable verity, continued I, addressing myself to the commissary, changing only the form of my asseverationthat I owe the king of France nothing but my good will; for he is a very honest man, and I wish him all health and pastime in the world Pardonnez moireplied the commissary, you are indebted to him six livres four sous, for the next post from hence to St. Fons, in your route to Avignonwhich being a post royal, you pay double for the horses and postillionotherwise twould have amounted to no more than three livres two sous But I dont go by land; said I. You may if you please; replied the commissary Your most obedient servantsaid I, making him a low bow The commissary, with all the sincerity of grave good breedingmade me one, as low again.I never was more disconcerted with a bow in my life. The devil take the serious character of these people! quoth I(aside) they understand no more of Irony than this The comparison was standing close by with his panniersbut something seald up my lipsI could not pronounce the name Sir, said I, collecting myselfit is not my intention to take post But you maysaid he, persisting in his first replyyou may take post if you chuse And I may take salt to my pickled herring, said I, if I chuse But I do not chuse But you must pay for it, whether you do or no. Aye! for the salt; said I (I know) And for the post too; added he. Defend me! cried I I travel by waterI am going down the Rhone this very afternoonmy baggage is in the boatand I have actually paid nine livres for my passage Cest tout egaltis all one; said he. Bon Dieu! what, pay for the way I go! and for the way I do not go! Cest tout egal; replied the commissary The devil it is! said Ibut I will go to ten thousand Bastiles first O England! England! thou land of liberty, and climate of good sense, thou tenderest of mothersand gentlest of nurses, cried I, kneeling upon one knee, as I was beginning my apostrophe. When the director of Madam Le Blancs conscience coming in at that instant, and seeing a person in black, with a face as pale as ashes, at his devotionslooking still paler by the contrast and distress of his drapery- -askd, if I stood in want of the aids of the church I go by Watersaid Iand heres another will be for making me pay for going by Oil. |
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