Do you feel strong enough to ride on horseback as yet, or would you prefer a carriage?
The former mode of travelling is best adapted to the country through which we are to travel, but you are at liberty to choose between them.' I said, 'I felt my strength gradually returning, and that I should much prefer travelling on horseback.

A carriage,' I added, 'is so close'-- 'And so easily guarded,' replied Herries, with a look as if he would have penetrated my very thoughts,--'that, doubtless, you think horseback better calculated for an escape.' 'My thoughts are my own,' I answered; 'and though you keep my person prisoner, these are beyond your control.' 'Oh, I can read the book,' he said, 'without opening the leaves.

But I would recommend to you to make no rash attempt, and it will be my care to see that you have no power to make any that is likely to be effectual.

Linen, and all other necessaries for one in your circumstances, are amply provided, Cristal Nixon will act as your valet,--I should rather, perhaps, say, your FEMME DE CHAMBRE.

Your travelling dress you may perhaps consider as singular; but it is such as the circumstances require; and, if you object to use the articles prepared for your use, your mode of journeying will be as personally unpleasant as that which conducted you hither .-- Adieu--We now know each other better than we did--it will not be my fault if the consequences of further intimacy be not a more favourable mutual opinion.' He then left me, with a civil good night, to my own reflections, and only turned back to say that we should proceed on our journey at daybreak next morning, at furthest; perhaps earlier, he said; but complimented me by supposing that, as I was a sportsman, I must always be ready for a sudden start.
We are then at issue, this singular man and myself.