the evening? Is there no salon? Eh, what do
you do after dinner?"

'"Why, sometimes we drive, or we walk out on the boulevards; the other
ministers receive once or twice a week, and then there's the opera."

'"Devilishly slow you must find all this," said Van Halsdt, filling a
bumper, and taking it off at a draught. "Are you long here?"

'"Only three months."

'"And well sick of it, I 'll be sworn."

'"No, I feel very happy; I like the quiet."

'"Oh dear! oh dear!" said he, with a long groan, "what is to become of
me?"

'Norvins heartily wished he could have replied to the question in the
way he would have liked; but he said nothing.

'"It's past eight." said Van Halsdt, as he perceived him stealing a
look at his watch. "Never mind me, if you've any appointment; I 'll soon
learn to make myself at home here. Perhaps you'd better ring for some
more claret, however, before you go; they don't know me yet."

'Edward almost started from his chair at this speech. Such a liberty had
never before been heard of as to call for more wine; indeed, it was not
their ordinary habit to consume half what was placed on the table; but
so taken by surprise was he, that he actually rose and rang the bell, as
he was desired.

'"Some claret, Johann," said he with a gulp, as the old butler entered.

'The man started back, and fixed his eyes on the empty decanter.

'"And I say, ancient," said Van Halsdt, "don't decant it; you shook the
last bottle confoundedly. It's old wine, and won't bear that kind of
usage."

'The old man moved away with a deep sigh, and returned in about ten
minutes with a bottle from the cellar.

'"Didn't Providence bless you with two hands, friend?" said Van Halsdt.
"Go down for another."

'"Go, Johann," said Norvins, as he saw him hesitate, and not knowing
what his refusal might call forth; and then, without waiting for further
parley, he arose and withdrew.

'"Well," thought he, when he was once more alone, "if he is a
good-looking fellow, and there's no denying _that_, one comfort is, he
is a confirmed drunkard. Marguerite will never be able to endure him";
for such, in his secret heart, was the reason of his premature dislike
and dread of his new companion; and as he strolled along he meditated
on the many ways he should be able to contrast his own acquirements
with the other's deficiencies, for such he set them down at once, and
gradually reasoned himself into the conviction that the fear of all
r