ut receiving any answer to our summons.

"_Morbleu_! I forgot the hour; they have all gone to bed. I must knock
again," said he, giving several thundering blows on the door.

At length a female voice asked who was there.

"It is Captain Didot and a friend; open quick, good Madeleine," he said
in French. "We are tired and hungry and sleepy, and wish to be inside
instead of outside your door."

"Ah! it is you, Monsieur Didot, I know full well," answered the voice.
"I will let you in."

We were, however, kept some time longer, and at last the door opened,
and a young woman made her appearance, dressed in a high white cap and
short petticoats, dark woollen stockings, and wooden shoes, but very
neat and trim. I had never before seen a woman in so odd a rig. She
smiled a welcome to my companion, and shutting the door behind us, a
good deal of talking took place; but though I could manage to make out
Captain Didot's French, I did not understand a word she said. We then
went into a nice clean parlour, with a red-brick floor, and sat down and
talked again. Suddenly, up jumped the lady in the high cap, and after
an absence of ten minutes or so, returned with a tray covered with
eatables and drinkables. I instinctively drew my chair to the table at
the sight without waiting to be bid, whereat our hostess smiled, and
observed that the _pauvre enfant_ was hungry. Captain Didot took the
hint and helped me; nor did he forget himself; and setting to work, we
made a very capital supper.

"I must now be off," observed Monsieur Didot, as he came to an anchor;
"but before I go, I must give you a caution, Monsieur Englishman. You
are not to make your appearance outside these garden walls for the next
fortnight. If you attempt to get away, ill-will come of it. Remember
that madame here will take care of you, and you may have as much fruit
to eat and wine to drink as you like; and now, good night, my friend.
You hear, do you not?"

I did hear; but I was so very sleepy that I could not recollect enough
French to answer him. While he continued talking to madame, I dropped
off asleep in my chair, and for long in my dreams I heard the buzz of
their voices. When I was at last awoke, by feeling a hand placed on my
shoulder, the smuggling captain was gone.

"Come," said the good-natured woman; "you want rest, my boy;" and taking
a candle, she led me into a neat little room with a comfortable bed in
it, where I very soon forgot