remain together, and to retire herself to the repose her humanity had thus broken. But she would not leave us. She brought forth bread, butter, and cheese, with wine and some other beverage, and then made us each a large bowl of tea. And when we could no longer partake of her hospitable fare, she fetched us each a pillow, and a double chair, to rest our heads and our feet.

Thus cheered and refreshed, we blessed our kind hostess, and fell into something like a slumber, when we were suddenly roused by the sound of trumpets, and warlike instruments, and the trampling of many horses, coming from afar, but approaching with rapidity. We all started up alarmed, and presently the group, perceiving, I imagine, through the ill-closed shutters, some light, stopped before the house, and battered the door and the window, demanding admission. We hesitated whether to remain or endeavour to conceal ourselves; but our admirable hostess bid us be still, while, calm herself, she opened the street door, where she parleyed with the party, cheerfully and without any appearance of fear, and telling them she had no room for their accommodation, because she had given up even her own bed to some relations who were travelling, she gained from them an applauding houza and their departure.

She then informed us they were Polish Lancers, and that she believed they were advancing to scour the country in favour of Bonaparte. She expressed herself an open and ardent loyalist for the Bourbons, but said she had no safety except in submitting, like all around her, to the stronger powers.

Again, by her persuasion, we sought to compose ourselves; but a second party soon startled us from our purpose, and from that time we made no similar attempt. I felt horrified at every blast of the trumpet, and the fear of being made prisoner, or pillaged, assailed me unremittingly.

At about five o'clock in the morning our carriages were at the door. We blessed our benevolent hostess, took her name and address, that we might seek some means of manifesting our gratitude, and then quitted Orchies.

For the rest of our journey till we reached the frontiers, we were annoyed with incessant small military groups or horsemen; but though suspiciously regarded, we were not stopped. The fact is, the new government was not yet, in those parts, sufficiently organised to have been able to keep if they had been strong enough to detain us. But we had much difficulty to have our passports honoured for passing the frontiers; and if they had not been so recently renewed at Amiens, I` think it most probable our progress would have been impeded till new orders and officers were entitled to make us halt.

Great, therefore, was our satisfaction when, through all these difficulties, we entered Tournay-where, being no longer in the lately restored kingdom of France, we considered ourselves to be escaped from the dominion of Bonaparte, and where we determined therefore to remain till we could guide our further proceedings by tidings of the plan and the position of Louis XVIII. We went to the most considerable inn, and all retired

VOL. VII.

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to rest, which, after so much fatigue, mental and bodily, we required, and happily obtained.

The next day we had the melancholy satisfaction of hearing that Louis XVIII. also had safely passed the frontiers of his lost kingdom.

As we were less fearful, now, of making inquiries, M. de Lally soon learnt that his Majesty had halted at Lille, where he was then waiting permission and directions for a place of retreat from the King of Holland, or the Netherlands. But no intelligence whatsoever could we gain relative to the Body Guards, and my disturbance increased every moment.

There was far more commotion at Tournay than at` any other town through which we passed; for as the people here were not under the French government, either old or new, they were not awed into waiting to know to which they should belong, in fearful passiveness: yet they had all the perplexity upon their minds of disquieting ignorance whether they were to be treated as friends or foes, since if Bonaparte prevailed they could not but expect to be joined again to his dominions. All the commotion, therefore, of divided interests and jarring opinions was awake, and in full: operation upon the faculties and feelings of every Belgian at this critical moment.

PART IV.

1815.

Anxiety of Madame d'Arblay respecting her husband-Endeavours to communicate with him by letter-Arrival of the Prince de Condé-Madame d'Arblay's accidental meeting with M. de Chateaubriand-Her opinion of his works-Her description of M. and Madame Chateaubriand-His popularity in France-Napoleon's arbitrary conduct towards him—Arrival of the fugitives at Brussels-La Comtesse de Maurville -Character of the Belgians-Madame de la Tour du PinThe Duchess de Duras endeavours to obtain intelligence for Madame d'Arblay-Dispersion of the King's body-guard on the frontiers-News of M. d'Arblay-Improved prospects of Madame d'Arblay-Arrival of her husband at Brussels-Entrance into his capital of the new King of the NetherlandsM. d'Arblay summoned to Gand-He is employed on a commission to collect volunteers for Louis XVIII.-Returns to Brussels-His companions-Visit to the Palace of LachenMadame Catalani-Lord Wellington-The Protestant Church -Catholic Processions-Lady C- L- -De Lally Tolendal's farewell to public life-Madame d'Arblay's occupations at this anxious period-The army of Brunswick on the march -Progress of Bonaparte-Rumours at Brussels of his conflict with the Allies-Colonel Jones, the military commandant.