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ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE WORLD 287
puerile diseases, the relative prices of veal, eggs, chickens, the rent
of lodging and houses in various places, were fully discussed. And
as Mrs. Baynes showed a surprising knowledge of Tours, the
markets, rents, clergymen, society there, and as Major and Mrs.
Mac were staying there, I have little doubt, for my part, from this
and another not unimportant circumstance, that it was to that fair
city our fugitives were wending their way, when events occurred
which must now be narrated, and which caused General Baynes at
the head of his domestic regiment to do what the King of France
with twenty thousand men is said to have done in old times.
Philip was greatly interested about the family. The truth is,
we were all very much bored at Boulogne. Wo read the feeblest
London papers at the reading-room with frantic assiduity. We saw
all the boats come in : and the day was lost when we missed the
Folkestone boat or the London boat. We consumed much time
and absinthe at cafe's; and tramped leagues upon that old pier
every day. Well, Philip was at the " Hotel des Bains " at a very
early hour next morning, and there he saw the General, with a woeworn
face, leaning on his stick, and looking at his luggage, as it lay
piled in the porte-cochere of the hotel. There they lay, thirty-seven
packages in all, including washing-tubs, and a child's India sleepingcot
; and all these packages were ticketed M. le GENERAL BAYNES,
OFFICIER ANGLAIS, TOURS, TOURAINE, FRANCE. I say, putting
two and two together; calling to mind Mrs. General's singular
knowledge of Tours and familiarity with the place and its prices ;
remembering that her sister Emily—Mrs. Major MacWhirter in
fact—was there; and seeing thirty-seven trunks, bags, and portmanteaus,
all directed "M. le Général Baynes, Officier Anglais,
Tours, Touraine," am I wrong in supposing that Tours was the
General's destination ? On the other hand, we have the old officer's
declaration to Philip that he did not know where he was going.
Oh, you sly old man ! Oh, you grey old fox, beginning to double
and to turn at sixty-seven years of age ! Well ? The General was
in retreat, and he did not wish the enemy to know upon what lines
he was retreating. What is the harm of that, pray ? Besides, he
was under the orders of his commanding officer, and when Mrs.
General gave her orders, I should have liked to see any officer of
hers disobey.
" What a pyramid of portmanteaus ! You are not thinking of
moving to-day, General ?" says Philip.
" It is Sunday, sir," says the General ; which you will perceive
was not answering the question ; but, in truth, except for a very
great emergency, the good General would not travel on that day.
" I hope the ladies slept well after their windy voyage."