t learning the truth on
official authority.

"'Monsieur,' said I, 'would it be indiscreet if I were to ask you the
reasons for such eccentricity?'

"At these words an expression, which revealed all the pleasure which
men feel who are accustomed to ride a hobby, overspread the lawyer's
countenance. He pulled up the collar of his shirt with an air, took out
his snuffbox, opened it, and offered me a pinch; on my refusing, he took
a large one. He was happy! A man who has no hobby does not know all
the good to be got out of life. A hobby is the happy medium between a
passion and a monomania. At this moment I understood the whole bearing
of Sterne's charming passion, and had a perfect idea of the delight with
which my uncle Toby, encouraged by Trim, bestrode his hobby-horse.

"'Monsieur,' said Monsieur Regnault, 'I was head-clerk in Monsieur
Roguin's office, in Paris. A first-rate house, which you may have heard
mentioned? No! An unfortunate bankruptcy made it famous.--Not having
money enough to purchase a practice in Paris at the price to which they
were run up in 1816, I came here and bought my predecessor's business.
I had relations in Vendome; among others, a wealthy aunt, who allowed
me to marry her daughter.--Monsieur,' he went on after a little pause,
'three months after being licensed by the Keeper of the Seals, one
evening, as I was going to bed--it was before my marriage--I was sent
for by Madame la Comtesse de Merret, to her Chateau of Merret. Her maid,
a good girl, who is now a servant in this inn, was waiting at my door
with the Countess' own carriage. Ah! one moment! I ought to tell you
that Monsieur le Comte de Merret had gone to Paris to die two months
before I came here. He came to a miserable end, flinging himself into
every kind of dissipation. You understand?

"'On the day when he left, Madame la Comtesse had quitted la Grand
Breteche, having dismantled it. Some people even say that she had
burnt all the furniture, the hangings--in short, all the chattels and
furniture whatever used in furnishing the premises now let by the
said M.--(Dear, what am I saying? I beg your pardon, I thought I was
dictating a lease.)--In short, that she burnt everything in the meadow
at Merret. Have you been to Merret, monsieur?--No,' said he, answering
himself, 'Ah, it is a very fine place.'

"'For about three months previously,' he went on, with a jerk of his
head, 'the Count and Countess had lived in a very eccentric way