CHAPTER XXIX.

CAPTAIN TREVANION’S ADVENTURE.

As the day was now waning apace, and I was still unprovided with any one who could act as my second, I set out upon a search through the various large hotels in the neighbourhood, trusting that amid my numerous acquaintance I should be fortunate enough to find some of them at Paris.  With a most anxious eye I scanned the lists of arrivals at the usual haunts of my countrymen, in the Rue Rivoli, and the Place Vendome, but without success; there were long catalogues of “Milors,” with their “couriers,” &c. but not one name known to me in the number.

I repaired to Galignani’s library, which, though crowded as ever with English, did not present to me one familiar face.  From thence I turned into the Palais Royale, and at last, completely jaded by walking, and sick from disappointment, I sat down upon a bench in the Tuilleries Garden.

I had scarcely been there many minutes when a gentleman accosted me in English, saying, “May I ask if this be your property?” showing, at the same time, a pocket-book which I had inadvertently dropped in pulling out my handkerchief.  As I thanked him for his attention, and was about to turn away, I perceived that he continued to look very steadily at me.  At length he said,

“I think I am not mistaken; I have the pleasure to see Mr. Lorrequer, who may perhaps recollect my name, Trevanion of the 43rd.  The last time we met was at Malta.”

“Oh, I remember perfectly.  Indeed I should be very ungrateful if I did not; for to your kind offices there I am indebted for my life.  You must surely recollect the street row at the ‘Caserne?’”

“Yes; that was a rather brisk affair while it lasted; but, pray, how long are you here?”

“Merely a few days; and most anxious am I to leave as soon as possible; for, independently of pressing reasons to wish myself elsewhere, I have had nothing but trouble and worry since my arrival, and at this instant am involved in a duel, without the slightest cause that I can discover, and, what is still worse, without the aid of a single friend to undertake the requisite negociation for me.”

“If my services can in any way assist—­”

“Oh, my dear captain, this is really so great a favour that I cannot say how much I thank you.”

“Say nothing whatever, but rest quite assured that I am completely at your disposal; for although we are not very old friends, yet I have heard so much of you from some of ours, that I feel as if we had been long acquainted.”