"Precisely. How far is it to this charming spot?"

"From here to Vaucluse?"

"Yes."

"Twelve miles."

"A matter of an hour and a half. We have no time to lose, so let
us rid ourselves of troublesome things in order to have nothing
but pleasure before us."

The Englishman looked at the young man in astonishment. Roland
did not seem to pay any attention to this look.

"Here are three letters," said he; "one for Madame de Montrevel,
my mother; one for Mlle. de Montrevel, my sister; one for the
citizen, Bonaparte, my general. If I am killed you will simply
put them in the post. Will that be too much trouble?"

"Should that misfortune occur, I will deliver your letters myself,"
said the Englishman. "Where do your mother and sister live?"

"At Bourg, the capital of the Department of Ain."

"That is near here," observed the Englishman. "As for General
Bonaparte, I will go to Egypt if necessary. I should be extremely
pleased to meet General Bonaparte."