e fancy, for not a quarter of an hour ago a young lad, well mounted
like you, as tall as you and of about your age, halted before this clump
of trees and had this table and this chair brought here, and dined here,
with an old gentleman who seemed to be his tutor, upon a pie, of which
they haven't left a mouthful, and two bottles of Macon wine, of which
they haven't left a drop, but fortunately we have still some of the same
wine and some of the same pies left, and if your worship will but give
your orders----"

"No, friend," replied Raoul, smiling, "I am obliged to you, but at this
moment I want nothing but the things for which I have asked--only I
shall be very glad if the ink prove black and the pen good; upon these
conditions I will pay for the pen the price of the bottle, and for the
ink the price of the pie."

"Very well, sir," said the host, "I'll give the pie and the bottle of
wine to your servant, and in this way you will have the pen and ink into
the bargain."

"Do as you like," said Raoul, who was beginning his apprenticeship with
that particular class of society, who, when there were robbers on the
highroads, were connected with them, and who, since highwaymen no longer
exist, have advantageously and aptly filled their vacant place.

The host, his mind at ease about his bill, placed pen, ink and paper
upon the table. By a lucky chance the pen was tolerably good and Raoul
began to write. The host remained standing in front of him, looking with
a kind of involuntary admiration at his handsome face, combining both
gravity and sweetness of expression. Beauty has always been and always
will be all-powerful.

"He's not a guest like the other one here just now," observed mine host
to Olivain, who had rejoined his master to see if he wanted anything,
"and your young master has no appetite."

"My master had appetite enough three days ago, but what can one do? he
lost it the day before yesterday."

And Olivain and the host took their way together toward the inn,
Olivain, according to the custom of serving-men well pleased with their
place, relating to the tavern-keeper all that he could say in favor of
the young gentleman; whilst Raoul wrote on thus:

"Sir,--After a four hours' march I stop to write to you, for I miss you
every moment, and I am always on the point of turning my head as if to
reply when you speak to me. I was so bewildered by your departure and so
overcome with grief at our separation, that