THE CURE OP FRIAIZE. 1 85 



the rain fell in torrents, and we had wandered many miles 

 from Pont jour. "We took refuge in the wood of Pinson, 

 belonging to M. d'Aligre; but shelter was no panacea for 

 hunger. We had no provisions with us, and could not eat 

 raw partridges. 



" Our position was by no means comfortable. The storm 

 lasted three hours, and when it partially cleared up, we took 

 counsel as to our future movements.' What should we do? 

 At Pontj our every thing would 'be eaten up by the rest of 

 our party, who had no doubt preceded us at the rendezvous ; 

 besides, we were beginning to feel voracious, and, all things 

 considered, determined to hasten to the little village of Friaize, 

 hard by, where we should be'certain to find bread and eggs at 

 least. 



" On the way, one of the party, a doctor of medicine and a 

 great gourmand by nature, . was ; expatiating in the most 

 pathetic way upon the loss of the dejeiine at < Pontj our, when; 

 as if struck by a sudden idea, he exclaimed, - c Ah ! by-the- 

 bye, I am acquainted with the cure ' of Friaize, an excellent 

 man. Many times when on my professional rounds, or shoot- 

 ing excursions, he has invited me to. dinner, and * I have 

 always refused. Now is just the time to pay him a visit.' 

 The motion was carried. We quickened our* pace, and 

 very soon arrived at the' presbytery. Upon entering, ; we 

 found a neat and comfortable dwelling ; the table laid, v and 

 everything auguring well ; but the' cure was absent. His 

 housekeeper begged us to walk in and sit down patiently 

 until her master returned from church (it was a fete-day); 

 1 In the meantime,' she observed, f I will make some little 

 addition to the dinner, for when there is enough for two, 

 there is generally sufficient for five.' 



" All this made us anticipate a happy denouement of the 

 drama, the first act of which was already performing on our 

 stomachs. ' Suppose we eat a crust of bread and drink a 



