,' said Astier, 'even those they
want now to prove false. And on what ground if you please? For a mere
trifling error, "Maitre Rabelais" instead of "Frere Rabelais." As if
an emperor's pen never made a slip! It's dishonest, that's what it is!'
And, seeing that I shared his indignation, my good old master grasped
me by both hands and said, 'But there! enough of these slanders. Madame
Astier told you, I suppose, about your book? There is still a little too
much for my taste; but I am pleased with it on the whole.' What there is
'too much' of in my poetry is what he calls 'the weed' of the fancy.
At school he was always at it, plucking it out, and rooting it up. Now,
dear Germaine, attend. I give you the last part of our conversation,
word for word.

_I._ Do you think, sir, that I have any chance of the Boisseau prize?

_M. A._ After such a book as that, my dear boy, it is not a prize you
deserve, but a seat. Loisillon is hard hit; Ripault cannot last much
longer. Don't move; leave it to me; henceforward I look upon you as a
candidate.

I don't know what I said in reply. I was so confused that I feel still
as if I were dreaming. Me, me, in the Academie Francaise! Take good care
of yourself, dearest, and get your naughty legs well again; for you
must come to Paris on the great occasion, and see your brother, with his
sword at his side and his green coat embroidered with palms, take his
place among all the greatest men of France! Why, it makes me dizzy now!
So I send you a kiss, and am off to bed.

Your affectionate brother,

ABEL DE FREYDET.

You may imagine that among all these doings I have quite forgotten the
seeds, matting, shrubs, and all the rest of my purchases. But I will see
about them soon, as I shall stay here some time. Astier-Rehu advised me
to say nothing, but to go about in Academic society. To show myself and
be seen is the great point.

CHAPTER IV.

'Don't trust them, my dear Freydet. I know that trick; it's the
recruiting trick. The fact is, these people feel that their day is
past, and that under their cupola they are beginning to get mouldy. The
Academie is a taste that is going out, an ambition no longer in fashion.
Its success is only apparent. And indeed for the last few years the
distinguished company has given up waiting at home for custom, and comes
down into the street to tout. Everywhere, in society, in the studios, at
the publishers',