not so hungry, they would infinitely
prefer going to sleep to having to get up again and make themselves
agreeable to the ladies. As soon as Francois got possession of their
clothes he hurried away, but shortly returned, bringing with him a
supply of linen and silk stockings, and two antiquated court suits.
They were, he said, the only costumes which he considered worthy of the
English officers, and he begged that they would put them on without
ceremony.

Though not much inclined for merriment just then, they could not help
laughing as they got into the white satin small clothes offered them.
They then put on the richly-embroidered waistcoats, which, being very
long, came down over their hips. Their frilled shirts stuck out in
front to a considerable distance, but when they came to the coats,
Rayner, who had the broadest pair of shoulders, felt considerable fear
lest he should split his across, while his hands projected some way
beyond the ruffles which adorned the wrists.

Francois assisted them in the operation of dressing, and after they had
tied their neckcloths, he begged, with a low bow, to fasten on their
swords. When their costumes were complete he stepped back, and surveyed
them with evident satisfaction.

Oliver could not keep his countenance, but laughed heartily for some
time.

"It's just as well to get it over, Rayner," he said; "for otherwise I
could not help bursting out every time I looked at you."

The maitre d'hotel, however, did not appear to think there was anything
laughable in the appearance of the two Englishmen.

"Oh, messieurs! you are admirable. Let me have the honour of conducting
you to the saloon." Saying this he took up the candles, and with
stately step marched before them, until they reached a large room, in
the centre of which was a table spread with a handsome repast.

Madame La Roche, coming in, took the head of the table, and the young
ladies, sailing like swans into the room, placed themselves by the side
of their guests, on the strangeness of whose costumes they made not the
slightest remark. Rayner and Oliver had become somewhat faint from long
fasting, but their spirits quickly revived after they had eaten some of
the viands placed before them. At first they supposed that the repast
was served up solely on their account, but from the way the girls and
their mother kept them in countenance, they were satisfied that they had
simply come in for the family supper.

R