THE Til HUSH 1^5 



natiunl ; I spent the niglit al the Casino of Sainl-!\hilo ; 

 tlie game of baccarat was very animated, and we only left 

 the gaming table at early dawn ». 



I considered him more attentively : he had indeed the 

 countenance of a gambler. His giey eyes were glistening 

 feverishly and contrasted with the impassibility of the 

 rest of his features. As we were walking along, a thrush 

 began to sing. The grave notes of its song alternated 

 with low, chirping, shrill flourishes ; my companion lifted 

 his head suddenly and listened to the familiar strain. 



« That's a young thrush », nmttered he, « a pretty bird, 

 my good sir! it is clearing its throat with the fruit of the 

 juniper-tree and that softens its voice. I am fond of 



hearing that song on the moor It is a fetich and it 



brings me good luck If 1 had heard it yesterday 



when 1 was going to the Casino, 1 should perha])S have 

 had better luck ! But instead of that I am going home 

 completely plucked. — Fortunately I am not easily dis- 

 couraged and shall make up to-morrow for to-day's ill 

 luck ! » 



The thrush continued throwing its trills into the air, 

 and the gamester, standing on the grassy declivity, 

 stopped again to listen. 



« I know that particular bird, said he; it has built its 

 nest on the lower branches of an oak-tree ; 1 caiighl it the 

 other dav brooding, for with these birds, it is the male 

 who broods, so as to let the female rest ! It is a most 



