his eyes and hands and protesting
that, though I was a young man, had suffered more than all the blessed
martyrs.

After dinner, I desired in my turn to know the particulars of his
peregrination, and he satisfied me in a few words, by giving me to
understand that he had lived a year at Paris with his master, who,
in that time having acquired the language, as well as the fashionable
exercises to perfection, made a tour of France and Holland, during
which excursion he was so unfortunate as to meet with three of his
own countrymen on their travels, in whose company he committed such
excesses, that his constitution failed, and he fell into a consumption;
that by the advice of physicians, he went to Montpelier for the benefit
of good air, and recovered so well in six weeks, that he returned to
Rheims seemingly in good health, where he had not continued above a
month, when he was seized with a looseness that carried him off in ten
days, to the unspeakable sorrow of all who knew him and especially
of Strap, who had been very happy in his service, and given such
satisfaction, that his master, on his death-bed recommended him
to several persons of distinction for his diligence, sobriety, and
affection, and left him by will his wearing apparel, gold watch, sword,
rings, ready money, and all the moveables he had in France, to the value
of three hundred pounds "which I now," said he, "in the sight of God and
man, surrender to your absolute disposal: here are my keys; take them,
I beseech you, and God give you joy of the possession." My brain was
almost turned by this sudden change of fortune, which I could scarce
believe real: however, I positively refused this extravagant proffer of
my friend, and put him in mind of my being a soldier; at which hint he
started, crying, "Odso! that's true! we must procure your discharge. I
have some interest with a nobleman who is able to do me that favour."

We consulted about this affair, and it was determined that Monsieur
d'Estrapes should wait upon the Marquis in the morning, and tell him he
had by accident found his brother, whom he had not seen for many years
before, a private soldier in the regiment of Picardy, and implore that
nobleman's interest for his discharge. In the meantime, we enjoyed
ourselves over a bottle of good Burgundy, and spent the evening in
concerting schemes for our future conduct, in case I should be so lucky
as to get rid of the army. The business was to make ourselv