The General. "To Vidocq! a thief! a scamp! a beggarly scoundrel! If I only fancied I had ever breathed the same air with him, I should hang myself the moment I discovered it. Me apply to Vidocq!"
Captain Picard. "And why not, if he could procure the restitution of your lost property?"
The General (with a tone of assumed consequence.) "That is exactly like your advice. You!—but really, friend Picard, you have a monstrously odd way of beating about the bush."
Captain Picard. "General, I am at a loss to comprehend your meaning."
The General. "Why, I mean that you have such a roundabout way of going to work, 'tis like your telling a story. There is no getting you to proceed in a straight line. Now in that account you have begun at least fifty times of your father having arrested the famous Poulailler."
Lady Owenson. "The famous Poulailler! Oh! M. Picard, tell us all about it; do, there is a dear entertaining man. The famous Poulailler! pray begin; I am all curiosity to hear your amusing account of it."
M. Picard. "At your desire, madam, certainly; although 'tis an old story, and I fear you will find it somewhat too lengthy for a lady's patience."
Lady Owenson. "Nay, M. Picard, I entreat the favour, of your relating it."
M. Picard. "Well then, madam, you must first understand that this Poulailler was the most adroit robber that had appeared since the time of Cartouche. I should never have finished were I to relate only the fourth part of what I have heard my mother repeat concerning him; for though my parent is nearly four-score years of age, she has a famous memory."
The General. "Come, come, captain, don't lose the thread of your discourse already."
Lady Owenson. "Now pray, general, do not interrupt us. Go on, M. Picard—I am all attention."
M. Picard. "To make the story as brief as possible,
