such a distance. Within three days
General Bonaparte will be in Paris."

"Oh!" said the Englishman, without betraying the least surprise, "do you
think so?"

"I am sure of it," replied Roland.

"Truly, he is a very extraordinary man, your General Bonaparte. Now,
have you any other recommendations to make to me, M. de Montrevel?"

"One only, my lord."

"Oh! as many as you please."

"No, thank you, one only, but that is very important."

"What is it?"

"If I am killed--but I doubt if I be so fortunate."

Sir John looked at Roland with that expression of wonder which he had
already awakened three or four times.

"If I am killed," resumed Roland; "for after all one must be prepared
for everything--"

"Yes, if you are killed, I understand."

"Listen well, my lord, for I place much stress on my directions being
carried out exactly in this matter."

"Every detail shall be observed," replied Sir John, "I am very
punctilious."

"Well, then, if I am killed," insisted Roland, laying his hand upon his
second's shoulder, to impress his directions more firmly on his memory,
"you must not permit any one to touch my body, which is to be placed in
a leaden coffin without removing the garments I am wearing; the coffin
you will have soldered in your presence, then inclosed in an oaken bier,
which must also be nailed up in your presence. Then you will send it to
my mother, unless you should prefer to throw it into the Rhone, which I
leave absolutely to your discretion, provided only that it be disposed
of in some way."

"It will be no more difficult," replied the Englishman, "to take the
coffin, since I am to deliver your letter."

"Decidedly, my lord," said Roland, laughing in his strange way. "You
are a capital fellow. Providence in person brought us together. Let us
start, my lord, let us start!"

They left Roland's room; Sir John's chamber was on the same floor.
Roland waited while the Englishman went in for his weapons. He returned
a few seconds later, carrying the box in his hand.

"Now, my lord," asked Roland, "how shall we reach Vaucluse? On horseback
or by carriage?"

"By carriage, if you are willing. It is much more convenient in case one
is wounded. Mine is waiting below."

"I thought you had given the order to have it unharnessed?"

"I did, but I sent for the postilion afterward and countermanded it."

They went downstairs.

"Tom! Tom!" called Sir John at the door, where a servant, in the severe