e would not have respected himself.

"So here we are at last," said he, as he threw himself on my little
sofa, seemingly worn out with exhaustion. I had now time to look at him
by the light, and almost started back at the spectacle that presented
itself. His dress, which was that of the meanest peasant, was ragged and
torn; his shoes scarce held together with coarse thongs; and his beard,
unshaven for weeks past, increased the haggard look of features where
actual want and starvation seemed impressed.

"You are surprised at my costume," said he, with a sad smile; "and,
certes, Crillac would not court a customer habited as I am just now. But
what will you say when I assure you that the outward man--and you
will not accuse him of any voluptuous extravagance--has a very great
advantage over the inner one? In plain words, Lieutenant, you 'd hurry
your cook, if you knew I have not tasted food, save what the hedges
afford, for two days: not from poverty neither; there 's wherewithal
there to dine, even at Beauvilliers's." He rattled a well-filled purse
as he spoke.

"Come, come, De Beauvais! you accuse me of doing the honors with a bad
grace; and, in truth, I wish I were your host outside the pickets. But
let me retrieve my character a little. Taste this capon."

"If you never dined with a wolf, you shall now," said he, drawing his
chair to the table and filling a large goblet with Burgundy.

For ten or fifteen minutes he ate on like a man whom long starvation
had rendered half savage; then ceasing suddenly, he looked up, and said,
"Lieutenant, the cuisine here might tempt a more fastidious man than I
am; and if these people are not hospitable enough to invite you to their
soiries, they certainly do not starve you at home."

"How knew you that I was not asked to the chateau?" said I, reddening
with a sense of offended pride I could not conceal.

"Know it? Why, man, these things are known at once. People talk of them
in saloons and morning visits, and comment on them in promenades; and
though I seem not to have been keeping company with the beau monde
latterly, I hear what goes on there too. But trust me, boy, if your
favor stands not high with the Court of to-day, you may perhaps be
preparing the road to fortune with that of to-morrow."

"Though you speak in riddle, De Beauvais, so long as I suspect that what
you mean would offer insult to those I serve, let me say,--and I say it
in all temper, but in all firmness,--y