Forget Me Not/1824/The Shawl

As a diligence, containing several passengers, was lately approaching the French frontier, the search of the douaniers became the topic of conversation. A talkative female, conceiving that she might rely on the silence of her fellow-travellers, admitted that she had a new cachemir shawl wrapped round her underneath her clothes, and that she hoped by this stratagem to escape the scrutiny of the officers. The other passengers praised her ingenuity, and chuckled at the idea of the trick about to be played upon the douaniers; but one of them alone took no share in the conversation, and when the diligence stopped at the custom-house, he alighted and went in, instead of waiting for the summons of the officers. The latter immediately came forward and commenced the search with the lady, whom they desired to go into the house, for the purpose of being examined by persons of her own sex. In vain she insisted that it was obvious she could not have any contraband goods about her; she was obliged to comply; ​and the shawl was soon discovered and confiscated. The trunks of the travellers were then inspected successively; but when, the officers came to that of the silent passenger, they made a polite bow, and left it untouched. The travellers then resumed their places. The lady was extremely peevish, and manifested her displeasure with her silent companion, who continued mute as before. At length, when they had proceeded two stages beyond the customhouse, he began to speak: "Madam," said he, courteously, "you suspect that it was I who informed of you at the custom-house, and consequently occasioned the loss of your shawl; you are perfectly right." The passengers were about to assail him. "Softly! softly!" cried he, motioning with his hand; "hear me out first. I had myself ten shawls which I wished to smuggle into France, and I could devise no better method of accomplishing this purpose than laying an information against you." His fellow-travellers could not suppress their indignation. "Gently, gently!" repeated he, with the utmost sang froid, "let me only finish. As then, madam, I have been the cause of your loss, I am determined to make you compensation for it, and request you to select for yourself the best shawl out of my ten." It is scarcely necessary to describe the instant change which ​took place in the sentiments of his companions. The whole party continued their journey in the greatest good-humour, and the silent gentleman contributed his full share to their entertainment.