340 RIGHT AT LAST. 



thing as a compliment that does not amount to 

 undisputable insult, politely lifted the red cap on 

 Tom's riding off ; in return for which courtesy Tom 

 made a significant gesture, accompanied by an ex- 

 posure well kno^vn in England, and alluding of 

 course to the man and his master, I heard him d — n 

 them for two French — barons was not certainly the 

 term he used, no matter what it was. I saw him 

 safely on the road back to Dunkirk. 



I now returned to the house, from whence I was 

 introduced to the stud, consisting of two nondescript 

 horses and a beast, the pet of the baron, who was 

 shortly expected to favour her master with a progeny 

 begat God knows how, where, or when. From this 

 I was shown the cliiens de chasse, including two old 

 English spaniels, and a pointer that the baron 

 brought indisputable proof forward of being own 

 brother to him of the stump. 



My good stars now prevailed. It came on to 

 rain in torrents, and the baron having been told 

 by Formose that the hare he had come to shoot had 

 not been seen the preceding day, it was put to me, 

 with many apologies, whether a more propitious day 

 would not be preferable pour la chasse. I most 

 energetically avowed it would. The Jiacre was 

 brought out, and we started homewards. Over- 

 taking Tom on the road, he touched his hat : this I 

 knew was for me ; but a certain repetition of the ex- 

 pletive used on quitting the chateau in the plural, 

 but now in the singular immber, I fear was intended 

 for the baron, who, I must say, gave me a most 

 excellent dinner, and among many good things, but 

 as a bonne bouche — or joke, I know not which — on 

 a handsome silver dish was served up the thrush. 



