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"How I admire the gallantry of your youthful spirit, Mr. Lorry."

"Tut! Nonsense, sir!--And, my dear Charles," said Mr. Lorry,

glancing at the House again, "you are to remember, that getting

things out of Paris at this present time, no matter what things,

is next to an impossibility. Papers and precious matters were

this very day brought to us here (I speak in strict confidence;

it is not business-like to whisper it, even to you), by the

strangest bearers you can imagine, every one of whom had his head

hanging on by a single hair as he passed the Barriers. At another

time, our parcels would come and go, as easily as in

business-like Old England; but now, everything is stopped."

"And do you really go to-night?"

"I really go to-night, for the case has become too pressing to

admit of delay."

"And do you take no one with you?"