We strained the muscles of our necks staring up at ancient,
fading frescoes, and rested them again in gazing at famous tombs; then
it was time to go, if we were not to start for Vaucluse too hungry to
feed satisfactorily on thoughts of Laura and Petrarch.

"Now to our own trough with the other beasts," I sighed. "What an
anti-climax! From the cathedral to the couriers' dining-room."

"I thought that we might have our own private trough, just this once, if
you don't object," said the chauffeur, almost wistfully. "It would be a
shame to spoil the memory of a perfect morning, wouldn't it, so don't
you think you might accept my humble invitation?"

I hesitated.

"Is it conventionality or economy that gives you pause?" he asked. "If
it's the latter, or rather a regard for my pocket, your conscience can
be easy. My pocket feels heavy and my heart light to-day. I remember a
little restaurant not far off where they do you in great style for a
franc or two. Will you come with me?"

He looked quite eager, and I felt myself unable to resist temptation.
"Yes," said I, "and thank you."

A biting wind, more like March than flowery April, nearly blew us down
into the town, and I was glad to find shelter in the warm, clean little
restaurant.

"_Is_ my nose lilac after all?" I inquired, when a dear old smiling
waiter had trotted off with our order, murmuring benevolently, "Doude de
zuide, M'sieur," like a true compatriot of Tartarin.

"A faint pink from the cheeks is undeniably reflected upon it," admitted
the chauffeur. "We're going to be let in for a cold snap as we get up
north," he went on. "I read in the papers this morning that there's been
a 'phenomenal fall of snow for the season' on the Cevennes and the
mountains of Auvergne. Do you weaken on the Gorges of the Tarn now I've
told you that?"

"Mine not to reason why. Mine but to do or die," I transposed, smiling
with conspicuous bravery.

"Not at all. It's yours to choose. I haven't even broken the Gorges,
yet, to the slaves of my hypnotic powers. I warn you that, if all the
papers say about snow is true, we may have adventures on the way. Would
you rather--"

"I'd rather have the adventures," I broke in, and had as nearly as
possible added "with you," but I stopped myself in time.

We lunched more gaily than double-dyed millionaires, and afterward,
while my host was paying away his hard-earned francs for our food, I
slipped out of the restaurant and into a little