THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



a feeling of genuine satisfaction from this change, for 

 he had good reason for believing that it was largely 

 due to his own influence. 



But something of the careless scholar of former 

 days still survived in the young disciple of the 

 present time, and as a proof of this, Bene* took advan- 

 tage of the excellent excuse afforded by his wounded 

 hand for sleeping through the best part of the morn- 

 ing, and coming down very late to breakfast. 



As he was taking his place in the breakfast room, 

 Le*on entered, diffusing around him a strong odour of 

 essence of turpentine and of benzine, and wearing a 

 large white apron over his clothes. 



" Good day, lazy man ! " he laughingly said. 



" Good hail, you dreadful poisoner ! " replied Bene*, 

 offering his sound hand to his cousin. " But what 

 calling are you engaged in this morning ? Have you 

 become apprentice to a dyer, or are you only practising 

 the art of painting in oil ? " 



" Neither one nor the other. I am arranging my 

 collection and endeavouring to protect it from becom- 

 ing greasy." 



The Parisian now looked at him with an air of 

 unaffected surprise. Evidently he did not at all 

 understand. 



"Becoming greasy?" he repeated. "Then it is 

 neither dyeing nor painting, but it must be cooking. 

 And what are you getting ready ? " 



