acutely than I might.

"She's a nice little woman, and deserves a better lot than she has met
with."

"What sort of dinner will Delorme give us?" said I, affecting the air of
a man about town, but in reality throwing out the bait to lead the talk
in that direction.

"First-rate, if we let him; that is, if we only say, 'Order dinner for
us, Monsieur Pierre.' There's no man understands such a mandate more
thoroughly."

"Then that's what I shall say," cried I, "as I cross his threshold."

"He'll serve you Madeira with your soup, and Stein-berger with your
fish, thirty francs a bottle, each of them."

"Be it so. We shall drink to our pleasant journey," said I; and I
actually thought my voice had caught the tone and cadence of my father's
as I spoke.

CHAPTER XIV. A GOOD-BYE

While I strolled into the garden to select a table for our dinner,
Eccles went in search of Mr. Delorme; and though he had affected to say
that the important duty of devising the feast should be confided to the
host, I could plainly see that my respected tutor accepted his share in
that high responsibility.

I will only say of the feast in question, that, though I was daily
accustomed to the admirable dinners of my father's table, I had no
conception of what exquisite devices in cookery could be produced by the
skill of an accomplished restaurateur, left free to his own fancy, and
without limitation as to the bill.

One thing alone detracted from the perfect enjoyment of the banquet It
was the appearance of Mr. Delorme himself, white-cravated and gloved,
carrying in the soup. It was an attention that he usually reserved for
great personages, royalties, or high dignitaries of the court; and I was
shocked that he should have selected me for the honor, not the less as
it was only a few hours before he and I had been drinking champagne
with much clinking of glasses together, and interchanging the most
affectionate vows of eternal friendship.

I arose from my chair to salute him; but, as he deposited the tureen
upon the table, he stepped back and bowed low, and retreated in this
fashion, with the same humble reverence at every step, till he was lost
in the distance.

"Sit down," said Eccles, with a peculiar look, as though to warn me that
I was forgetting my dignity; and then, to divert my attention, he added,
"That green seal is an attention Delorme offers you,--a very rare
favor, too,--a bottle of his own peculiar Johannisberg. Let u