"Are you ready ?" "Ready ?--ready for what ?" "To go on with me, of course.

Don't you wish to get early to Strasbourg ?" "To be sure I do." "Well, then, come along.

But, pray, don't mind your luggage, for my caleche is loaded.

Your instruments can come in the diligence." "My instruments in the diligence! He's mad--that's flat." "How they will laugh at Strasbourg at my mistake." "That they will," thought I.

"The only doubt is, will you join in the merriment ?" So saying, I followed the courier to the door, jumped into his caleche, and in another moment was hurrying over the pave at a pace that defied pursuit, and promised soon to make up for all our late delay.