By his memoranda I found out that I had come from Aix.  By letters and papers in my own pockets I ascertained who I was, who my father was, to what regiment I belonged, that I was on leave of absence, and that I had a brother, whose affectionate letter I read carefully for further information.  I had not time to count a considerable sum of money, which was in my purse, before I fell in with a countryman, who was leading his horses to the plough.  Briefly narrating the circumstances, I offered him a handsome remuneration, if he would mount one of his horses, and procure immediate assistance.  Having seen him off in a hand-gallop, I returned to the carriage to try if it were possible to have one more view of that face which had so enchanted me.  I stated the good fortune I had met with, and my hopes of a speedy deliverance from their trouble.  I answered the old gentleman’s inquiry of the name and condition of the person to whom he and his daughter had been so much indebted, talked of my father the Compte de Rouille, of my regiment, and then requested a similar confidence.

He was le Marquis de Tonseca, and the young lady was his daughter; they were proceeding to their chateau about seven miles distant, where he hoped I would accompany them, and allow him an opportunity of showing his gratitude.

I hesitated, talked of engagements—­not that I intended to refuse the invitation, but because the young lady had not joined in the request.  My plan had the desired effect; again the lovely face appeared from under the cloak, and the sweetest voice in the world expressed a wish that I would not refuse her father’s invitation.  I blushed, and stammered consent.  Pleased at her victory, she smiled, and again was folded up in the cloak, which I could have torn to pieces for its envious concealment.

Assistance had now arrived; a crowd of people, headed by an officer to take the proces verbal, and two pair of post-horses came up; the depositions of the Marquis and myself were briefly taken; his as to what he had seen, and mine “to the best of my knowledge and belief.”  The papers were signed, the dead bodies were carried off, the horses put to, and, at the request of the Marquis, I took my seat in the carriage between him and his daughter, and we proceeded to the chateau.

In two hours we arrived at a magnificent pile, which bespoke the wealth and ancestry of the owner, and I had the pleasure of carrying in my arms, up the long flight of steps by which we ascended to the entrance, the beautiful girl, muffled up as she was in the cloak.  As soon as I had laid her down upon a sofa, I left her to the care of the females who were in attendance and quitted the room.  The Marquis had retired to his own apartment, to supply the deficiencies in his attire, and for a short time I was left alone to my own reflections.  What is to be the result of all this? thought I. Is there to be no end of my assumption of the clothes and titles of other people,—­this continual transmigration before death?  Yet how much more has it depended upon circumstances than upon myself!