He had no other object in view.

He had no intention of pushing onwards into Italy.

In a strange country, surrounded by people of a strange tongue, he would be perfectly helpless.

He had picked up just a few words of French, and of the patois of these mountain regions, enough to enable him to obtain the necessaries of life on this side the Alps.

And on this side he meant to remain, doubling back, if possible, and eluding his pursuers; hoping to find shelter at the monastery of the Great St.Bernard, and await there the return of Lord Claud.
He had watched, before starting himself, the start made by Lord Claud upon the arm of the landlord.