, in conjunction with the superior of the Chartreux, to take an early opportunity of deliberating on the most expedient means to get out of such a disagreeable scrape.


MADAME St. Vivier had not the smallest idea that her companions really knew any thing of the fraud. She had acted her part to perfection the night before, as to making Monsieur Goufre drunk and ridiculous, but was ignorant that the trick went any further than getting good terms from him as to the money that was borrowed; neither had a syllable of the situation of Madame Combrie been explained to her; for it is natural to suppose our travellers did not so sin against good breeding as to introduce such a character into that lady's company. She might be sent purposely to Dover, and probably was intended to be played off as a corps de reserve upon our hero, but when no direct outrage on propriety was necessary, Mr. Figgins was too great a general to call in assistance, when every thing went on even beyond his wishes. But how beyond his wishes? Patience, dear reader: I would not have you know

what is brewing, just at present, for any consideration. Attend then, and let the fruit of your curiosity ripen by degrees; nor—that it may have the better relish—wish to gather it till it shall be ready to drop into your hand.
Four or five days after the affair of the general of the police, the procureur waited on our travellers, with great deference and respect, and informed them that he had received a letter which had satisfied him in every point relative to the fraud. He therefore acquitted them so heartily of any concern in that matter, that he appeared extremely shocked at his conduct, and said he would publish their innocence coupled with any acknowledgment of his own, by way of concession, that they should think proper to dictate. As to himself, he had the pleasure to inform them that as it was now known he had not been to blame, at the mediation of his relation the superior of the Chartreux, and his friend the general of the police, the chapter of the convent to which the money was due had remitted the payment of it till his death, provided he would then add the interest of it, and an additional bequest of ten thousand crowns.
The letter to Monsieur Goufre was as follows:—


Lest your clerks, or any other innocent persons, should suffer under the suspicion of having taken from your bureau that fortune which in justice and equity is mine, in right of my wife, I write this to acquaint you that, on Friday evening
