Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/208

town, just as the labourers were going to work. In passing the guard at the gates, I was chalking, and rubbing out figures upon the rule, as if my mind was wholly occupied in my business. Although I did not turn my head, I could, nevertheless, observe, from under my broad brim, two gens d'armes eyeing me, from head to foot; I, however, trudged on, uninterrupted, following the guide from street to street, until we entered that in which Moitier lived. Fortunately not a creature was to be seen; on passing his door, she made a momentary pause, placing her hand on her hip, as a signal to me, and then went on, without looking behind her. I knocked, and asked for "Monsieur," but he was not at home. Upon inquiring for "Madame," she appeared; I told her that my business was of such importance, as absolutely to require my seeing "Monsieur son epoux;" and, if she would permit it, I wished to wait his return. She politely shewed me into an apartment, but seeing it to be a public waiting-room, and being desirous of privacy, I made one or two observations