146 THE THRUSH 



excellent father and husband ! » My companion sighed 

 again . « I noticed this thrush », he continued, « on ac- 

 count of its black eyes and the orange coloured tint of its 

 wings; these two traits distinguish it from the red-wing 

 or wind-thrush. Just as I was bending over the nest, the 

 bird Hew away; — I ought not to have startled it, it has 

 brought me ill-luck ! » 



We had now reached the entrance to a long avenue ot 

 beech-trees ; at the other extremity of which we could 

 perceive the gate of a manor-house built in the architec- 

 tural style of the time of Louis XIII. 



« This is the road that leads to Saiiil-Jouan », said 

 my companion, « and I am now at home. Good morning 

 to you. my dear sir ! » 



We separated, and I saw liiin disappear slowly under 

 the shady arch of the beeches. — At Saint-Jouan I ques- 

 tioned the inn-keeper about him and I licaid lliat the 

 avenue of Ix'cclies IcmI to the manor of « La Crochais «, 

 belonging to a certain M. de 'frelivan. 



The following week at the Casino I again met the 

 owner of <i La Crochais ». He was silting at a hdccdraf 

 (al)le and iiohling the hank. While dealing he was biting 

 his lij)s and (hops of |;('is])ii;ition were standing on his 

 brow. A (piaitei- of an hour latei'. he galhered n|) what he 

 had won, picked uj) a pile of gold and rose from his seat. 

 He recognized me immediately and came up tome, saying: 



tt It's all right, 1 am making up for my losses of the 



