TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 



The road from the railway station at Tillers has 

 fine trees on each side and forms a magnificent avenue 

 extending as far as the commencement of the village. 

 All three sauntered leisurely along it under the in- 

 fluence of that indefinable feeling of satisfaction that 

 one experiences in the country on a fine evening, 

 speaking of the absent friends in Paris that Rene had 

 quitted only that morning. As they went by, the 

 peasants leaning against their door-posts respectfully 

 greeted them by lifting their hats. When they came 

 to the houses Black went ahead like a dog who knows 

 his whereabouts, and a few minutes afterwards they 

 followed him into the cottage on the sea- shore. 



"At last!" was the greeting of the old housekeeper 

 Theresa, who knew from long experience, that a dinner 

 kept warm is never enjoyed. The table had long 

 been spread, and showed an inviting display of bril- 

 liant crystal, and plates with blue flowers, while 

 conspicuous in its centre was a capacious soup- dish of 

 most appetizing appearance. 



u Now," said the doctor, addressing his nephew, 

 " take off your bag, and to table, young men, if you 

 please." Rene wanted little pressing, and drew one 

 after the other from his game-bag, a book, three 

 papers, and (mothers are the same all the world over) 

 the remains of a cake, which must have been of 

 very respectable proportions when he started; and 

 although it had greatly diminished this did not 



