had sent you over the frontier into France, my friend," said Cutbill,
accosting him like an old acquaintance.

"So they did; but I gave them the slip at Culoz, and doubled back.
I have business at Rome, and could n't endure that roundabout way by
Marseilles."

"Will you smoke? May I offer you a cigar?"

"My best thanks," said he, touching his cap politely. "They smashed my
pipe, those good people down there. Like all villagers, they resent free
speech, but they 'd have learned something had they listened to me."

"Perhaps your frankness was excessive."

"Ha! you were there, then? Well, it was what Diderot calls
self-sacrificing sincerity; but all men who travel much and mix
with varied classes of mankind, fall into this habit. In becoming
cosmopolitan you lose in politeness."

"Signor Baldassare, your conversation interests me much. Will you accept
a seat in my carriage over the mountain, and give me the benefit of your
society?"

"It is I that am honored, sir," said he, removing his cap, and bowing
low. "There is nothing so distinctively well bred as the courtesy of a
man in _your_ condition to one in _mine_."

"But you are no stranger to me."

"Indeed! I remarked you called me by my name; but I'm not aware that you
know more of me."

"I can afford to rival your own candor, and confess I know a great deal
about you."

"Then you have read a very checkered page, sir. What an admirable cigar.
You import these, I'd wager?"

"No, but it comes to the same. I buy them in bond, and pay the duty."

"Yours is the only country to live in, sir. It has been the dream of my
life to pass my last days in England."

"Why not do so? I can't imagine that Aix will prefer any strong claims
in preference."

"No, I don't care for Aix, though it is pretty, and I have passed some
days of happy tranquillity on that little Lac de Bourges; but to return:
to what fortunate circumstance am I indebted for the knowledge you
possess of my biography?"

"You have been a very interesting subject to me for some time back.
First of all, I ought to say that I enjoy the pleasure of your son's
acquaintance."

"A charming young man, I am told," said he, puffing out a long column of
smoke.

"And without flattery, I repeat it,--a charming young man, good-looking,
accomplished, high-spirited and brave."

"You delight me, sir. What a misfortune for the poor fellow that his
antecedents have not been more favorable; but you see, Mr.------"