ish miles off, with whom Coralie undertook
to communicate. 'I trust,' said that lady, 'to the honor of a British
officer'--I had not then received my commission, but no matter--'that
he, that you, Captain Smith, will respect the sanctity of my concealment
till we arrive in the presence of the reverend gentleman who,' she
added, with a smile like a sunset, 'will, I trust, unite our destinies
forever.' She placed, as she spoke, her charming little hand in mine,
and I, you will hardly credit it, tumbled down on my knees, and vowed to
religiously respect the dear angel's slightest wish! Mr. Tape, for
mercy's sake, pass the wine, or the bare recollection will choke me!"

I must now, for the reasons previously stated, Continue the narrative in
my own words Every thing was speedily arranged for flight. Mr. Smith
found no difficulty in procuring from the Spanish commandant an order
which would enable him to pass his luggage through the barrier
unsearched; Jeannette was punctual at the rendezvous, and pointed
exultingly to a large chest, which she whispered contained the trembling
Coralie. The chinks were sufficiently wide to admit of the requisite
quantity of air; it locked inside, and when a kind of sail-cloth was
thrown loosely over it, there was nothing very unusual in its
appearance. Tenderly, tremulously did the rejoicing lover assist the
precious load into the hired bullock-cart, and off they started, Mr.
Smith and Jeannette walking by the side of the richly-freighted vehicle.

Mr. Smith trod on air, but the cart, which had to be dragged over some
of the worst roads in the world, mocked his impatience by its
marvelously slow progress, and when they halted at noon to give the oxen
water, they were still three good miles from their destination.

"Do you think?" said Mr. Smith, in a whisper to Jeannette, holding up a
full pint flask, which he had just drawn from his pocket, and pointing
toward the chest, "do you think?--Brandy and water--eh?"

Jeannette nodded, and the gallant Smith gently approached, tapped at the
lid, and in a soft low whisper proffered the cordial. The lid was, with
the slightest possible delay, just sufficiently raised to admit the
flask, and instantly reclosed and locked. In about ten minutes the flask
was returned as silently as it had been received. The enamored soldier
raised it to his lips, made a profound inclination toward his concealed
fiancee, and said, gently, "A votre sante, charmante Corali