soon in a comfortable sleep. In an hour I was awakened by the return of
the officer, who was accompanied by the surgeon. The officer addressed
O'Brien in French, who shook his head as before.

Two other persons then came into the room: one of them addressed O'Brien
in very bad English, saying that he was interpreter, and would beg him
to answer a few questions. He then inquired the name of our ship,
number of guns, and how long we had been cruising. After that the force
of the English fleet, and a great many other questions relative to them;
all of which were put in French by the person who came with him, and the
answers translated and taken down in a book. Some of the questions
O'Brien answered correctly; to others he pleaded ignorance; and to some
he asserted what was not true. But I did not blame him for that, as it
was his duty not to give information to the enemy. At last they asked
my name and rank, which O'Brien told them.

"Was I noble?"

"Yes," replied O'Brien.

"Don't say so, O'Brien," interrupted I.

"Peter, you know nothing about it; you are grandson to a lord."

"I know that, but still I am not noble myself, although descended from
him; therefore pray don't say so."

"Bother, Pater! I have said it, and I won't unsay it; besides, Pater,
recollect it's a French question, and in France you would be considered
noble. At all events it can do no harm."

"I feel too ill to talk, O'Brien; but I wish you had not said so."

They then inquired O'Brien's name, which he told them; his rank in the
service, and also whether he was noble.

"I am an O'Brien," replied he; "and pray what's the meaning of the O
before my name, if I'm not noble? However, Mr Interpreter, you may
add, that we have dropped our title because it's not convanient." The
French officer burst out into a loud laugh, which surprised us very
much. The interpreter had great difficulty in explaining what O'Brien
said; but as O'Brien told me afterwards, the answer was put down
_doubtful_.

They all left the room except the officer, who then, to our
astonishment, addressed us in good English: "Gentlemen, I have obtained
permission from the governor for you to remain in my house, until Mr
Simple is recovered. Mr O'Brien, it is necessary that I should receive
your parole of honour, that you will not attempt to escape. Are you
willing to give it?"

O'Brien was quite amazed; "Murder an' Irish," cried he; "so you speak
English, colonel.