Prince addressed him in these words:-

"You will, I am sure, pardon my curiosity. What I have seen of you

has greatly pleased but even more puzzled me. And though I should

be loth to seem indiscreet, I must tell you that my friend and I

are persons very well worthy to be entrusted with a secret. We

have many of our own, which we are continually revealing to

improper ears. And if, as I suppose, your story is a silly one,

you need have no delicacy with us, who are two of the silliest men

in England. My name is Godall, Theophilus Godall; my friend is

Major Alfred Hammersmith - or at least, such is the name by which

he chooses to be known. We pass our lives entirely in the search

for extravagant adventures; and there is no extravagance with which

we are not capable of sympathy."

"I like you, Mr. Godall," returned the young man; "you inspire me

with a natural confidence; and I have not the slightest objection

to your friend the Major, whom I take to be a nobleman in

masquerade. At least, I am sure he is no soldier."

The Colonel smiled at this compliment to the perfection of his art;

and the young man went on in a more animated manner.

"There is every reason why I should not tell you my story. Perhaps

that is just the reason why I am going to do so. At least, you

seem so well prepared to hear a tale of silliness that I cannot

find it in my heart to disappoint you. My name, in spite of your

example, I shall keep to myself. My age is not essential to the

narrative. I am descended from my ancestors by ordinary

generation, and from them I inherited the very eligible human

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