Page:Candide Smollett E. P. Dutton.djvu/93

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in El Dorado. In the name of God, Sir,” said he to the officer, “do me the kindness to conduct me to Venice, where I am to wait upon Miss Cunegund.”

“I cannot conduct you further than Lower Normandy,” said the officer.

So saying, he ordered Candide’s irons to be struck off and sent his followers about their business, after which he conducted Candide and Martin to Dieppe, and left them to the care of his brother. There happened just then to be a small Dutch ship in the roads. The Norman, whom the other three diamonds had converted into the most obliging, serviceable being that ever breathed, took care to see Candide and his attendants safe on board the vessel, that was just ready to sail for Portsmouth in England. This was not the nearest way to Venice indeed; but Candide thought himself escaped out of hell, and did not in the least doubt but he should quickly find an opportunity of resuming his voyage to Venice.

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