They did not even know any words except, "accept the assurance of my complete respect and devotion." The registry was abolished as superfluous, and the Generals were set at liberty.

Being thus on the retired list, they settled in Petersburg, in Podyatchesky (Pettifoggers) Street, in separate quarters; each had his own cook, and received a pension.

But all of a sudden, they found themselves on an uninhabited island, and when they awoke, they saw that they were lying under one coverlet.

Of course, at first they could not understand it at all, and they began to talk as though nothing whatever had happened to them.
"'Tis strange, your Excellency, I had a dream to-day," said one General; "I seemed to be living on a desert island." No sooner had he said this than he sprang to his feet.

The other General did the same.
"Heavens! What's the meaning of this?
Where are we ?" cried both, with one voice.
Then they began to feel each other, to discover whether this extraordinary thing had happened to them not in a dream, but in their waking hours.