you are beholding. Those men are feeding well. You can see how they

enjoy it. There is not a morsel in their mouths that has not a very

choice flavour of its own distinguished relish. See, there is the

venison just waiting to be carved, and a pheasant between every two of

them. If only the wind was a little more that way, and the covers taken

off the sauce-boats, and the gravy--ah, do I perceive a fine fragrance,

or is it a desirous imagination?"

"Bah! you are of the cold-blood, the wicked self-command. For me it is

either to rush in, or rush away. No longer can I hold my nose and mouth.

And behold they have wine--grand wine--the wine of Sillery, of Medoc, of

Barsac, and of Burgundy! By the bottles I can tell them, and by all the

Saints--"

"Be not so excited, for you cannot smack the lips. It is too late now to

envy them their solids, because they have made such speed with them. But

listen, my dear friend"--and here the tall man whispered into the ear of

his brisk companion, who danced with delight in the ungenial hedge, till

his face was scarred with brambles.

"It is magnificent, it is droll, it is what you call in England one

grand spree, though of that you understand not the signification. But,

my faith, it is at the same time barbarous, and almost too malignant."

"Too benevolent Charron," said the tall stern man, "that shall rest

upon my conscience, not on yours. The object is not to spoil their noisy

revel, but to gain instruction of importance. To obtain a clear idea

of the measures they adopt--ah, you see, you are as quick as lightning.

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>