start, the host of the cabaret presented me with a note, requesting the honour of Monsieur's company to a little supper. I hardly knew how to escape from this civility to a stranger, and, judging that it might be quite inconsistent with French notions of politeness to refuse, I accepted the invitation, though several things which had already occurred put me on my guard.

"After taking places in the diligence, the chasseur and I returned towards our cabaret, when he proposed to show me a little of Pontoise. We walked up one street and down another, till he entered a house, inviting me to follow, which I did. I soon perceived that it was a low gaming-house. In one room persons were playing at billiards, in another at cards and dice, in a third at different chance games. The love of character and adventure had strong influence over me; and well knowing that no circumstance could induce me to take any other part in the scene than that of a spectator, I stood looking on, while the chasseur, with a familiarity that showed his acquaintance with the parties engaged, joined them in conversation.

"It was not long before he hoped to have the honour of playing at billiards with Monsieur, or at cards, if more agreeable, or, in short, at anything to pass away an hour pleasantly; but

Monsieur was obdurate as adamant.

seur then went into another room.

The chas

"It may be said that I ought not to have entered, or at least that I ought not to have remained a moment in a house of this description. This is readily admitted, but the object of my French excursion was to see and know as much of France and French customs as my limited opportunities would afford; there was a strong temptation to witness, but none to partake of, the thoughtless follies around me. I am, however, not attempting to justify myself, for I was wrong, but simply narrating a fact.

“Feeling ill at ease, and wishing to quit the place into which I had unwittingly been drawn, I went into the room to beckon away my comrade; he was in close conversation with two gamesters of a very unprepossessing appearance. A more urgent attempt was then made to get me to play. At this moment the host of the cabaret, where I was to sup, came in; it immediately occurred to me that this was by appointment; that I had not been drawn there without a design; the host and the chasseur were to take advantage of the stranger; and this impression was not at all weakened by what followed.

“It was with some difficulty that I got out of the gaming-house, for the party were evidently

disconcerted at my determination to leave. Once more the chasseur and I came to our cabaret.

"On stepping into the kitchen to have my coat brushed, I observed the worthy hostess preparing a salad. Having occasion for an additional light, she wrapped the end of a candle in a lettuce leaf, and then seizing it firmly, she screwed it into a candlestick; after which, with the most perfect sang froid, she went on dressing, with unwashed hands, the savoury salad so soon to be laid before me.

66

Supper time came, and I sat down to table with monsieur the cabaretier, madame his wife, and my travelling companion, the chasseur. Considering it necessary to be on my guard, I ate nothing but a few heads of asparagus with one or two biscuits, and drank nothing but water. The chasseur called for wine, which forthwith made its appearance, and neither he nor the host seemed to be soon satisfied. Brandy, too, was required, and provided; and being merely a guest I had no right to interfere.

"The by-play carried on between the cabaretier and the chasseur convinced me that mischief was brewing. I leaned back in the corner where I sat, and affected to be asleep, while they

continued to empty their glasses. A consciousness of insecurity came over me from what I had observed, and I determined on no account to retire to rest. It must have been about midnight when the two gamesters, with whom the chasseur had been so familiar at the gaminghouse, stalked into the room, and occupied an adjoining table. The chasseur handed them a bottle of wine from our table, telling them, in an under tone, and with a significant shrug, that I was asleep. All this was observed by me, as well as much more that passed, by no means calculated to allay the unfavourable impression made on my mind.

"At one o'clock the chasseur, jogging my elbow, to awaken me from my affected repose, began to intimate that it was time to prepare for the diligence. I signified my readiness to accompany him, when he pushed towards me a little strip of paper, on which was scrawled the following bill:

'Nothing could be more apparent than their intention to make me pay for the veal, asparagus, bread, wine, cakes, brandy, and salad, which they had consumed. Nineteen francs and sixteen sous, or sixteen shillings and sixpence, was the amount.

"It was in vain that I affected not to understand their meaning, and afterwards insisted that I had only been their guest: they requested, required, and at last demanded from me the amount, saying that the supper was altogether for Monsieur. Turning round to the two gamblers, I handed them the note of invitation to supper which I had received, and asked them if, under such circumstances, any demand could with justice be made upon me. Shrugging their shoulders, and lifting up their eyebrows, and shaking their heads, they simply replied, that it was Monsieur's business, and not theirs.

"Though inwardly burning with indignation, I felt fully alive to the awkwardness, if not danger of my situation, and to the necessity of keeping myself calm. It was midnight. I was surrounded by those who had the power, and perhaps the will to do me a mischief. When quite collected I could only express myself in French with great difficulty-to do so when excited would be out of the question. My