The evil was done and was irreparable ; I demanded grace for Phanor, if it were only 

 for tlic sake of not hearing:; him cry. Bosides, the brandi of the cherry-tree was broken 

 on Phanor'a back, and 1 did not know what tree Pidmond would apply to next for a 

 weapon. "Come, come, Edmond, don't beat him any more, the evil is done ; besides, it 

 may not be so serious as you imagine." 



"Oh, it's not for the few nonsensical bunches of flowers ho may have destroyed, my 

 dear Stephen ; it is because he disobeyed me that I correct him." 



"Well, then, I beg you, Edmond, do not flog him any more !" 



"Let him alone, let him alone ; I want to see if he will obey me now." 



"I ask it as a favor, that you will not make the experiment." 



"Phanor, here ! Thou shalt see that he will obey now. Here, Phanor ! Why here! 

 Phanor ! — here ! here ! here !" 



Phanor takes to flight once more, Edmond pursues him afresh, and the chase 

 becomes as warm as ever through my shrubs and flowers. 



Varai picked up the gentleman's cane, and held it ready to give him when he wanted 

 to beat his dog, for fear he should borrow another from one of my trees. But Varai 

 was more ingenious than I was ; he opened the garden-gate, and Phanor, as he passed 

 near it, closely pursued by his master, perceived the chance, made a bolt and disappeared. 

 Edmond and I returned to the dining-room. 



"It is astounding," said he, "a dog who obeys at the least sign ! Well, come, we must 

 make the best of it ; let us resume our supper. Thou shalt see how I will make up for 

 lost time. But, shouldst thou not send some one to look for Phanor ? I am afraid he 

 will be lost in this country of wolves, where he has never been before. 



"Edmond, Varai is the only servant I have, and if he goes to look for Phanor, we shall 

 have no supper. We will think of him presently." 



"Ah ! but I hope he won't be lost though !" 



We resumed our repast. After Varai had, as usual, handed me some wine and water, 

 he offered some to Edmond. "No thank you ! no, thank you, my man of color, I never 

 drink water. 



" All the wicked are drinkers of water. 

 As is well proved by the deluge." 



Give me a little of that omelette. Hum! this is an omelette aux herbes! Now, dost 

 thou know how /like an omelette? The one that is good, really good, is an omelette 

 aux truffes ! that's what I call an omelette ! The table service is not bad ; I made 

 myself a present the other day of a pretty service in vermeil ; one cannot have anything 

 but vermeil, now porters eat out of silver " 



All the supper-time this was the nature of his talk; and, to my great joy, as soon as 

 the meal was over, he complained of being fatigued, and requested to be conducted to 

 his chamber. Varai was soon back; Mr. Edmond wanted another candle, being accus- 

 tomed to leave one burning ; he could not endure darkness. Then Edmond wanted his 

 bed warmed ; then he must have some eau sucree, in case of feeling thirsty in the 

 night ; then another blanket and an additional pillow ; and the chimney must be stopped 

 up to keep out the air. At length he got into bed, and I quickly sought mine, for fear 

 Varai should ask me any questions about this gentleman, as this would only increase 

 my ill-humor. 



He is come to pass a few days. What does he mean by a few days ? Why did 

 not I at once think of telling him I was under an engagement to set out to-morrow 

 on a journey? Now it is too late. 



The dog came back, was tied up, and passed the night in howling in such a horrible 

 and melancholy manner as would affect the strongest nerves. 



