ANECDOTE OF FREXCII ABBE. 175 



walk with him to their father's. On arriving at the 

 abhe's residence, his female servant refused admittance, 

 declaring he was not at home. Having been appointed 

 to call at that hour, the young men insisted, and forced 

 their way into his dining-room. To their surprise, they 

 found him sitting at a table, with a napkin tied under his 

 chin, and on a plate, which he tried to conceal, the re- 

 mains of a savoury feast. ""SMiy!" exclaimed the young 

 men, " Do you forget you dine with us to-day?" " By no 

 means," said the abbe ; " but I received a present of 

 two fat landrails. The fat would have been spoiled if 

 kept till to-morrow ; therefore, what could I do but 

 have them dressed immediately." He finished his feast, 

 and it is added that no one who saw him afterwards 

 partake of the dinner could have suspected that he had 

 just eaten two landrails. 



