THE TtJlIPS. 107 



sure by coining to see me occasionally ; but that each, of us 

 must be at liberty in his own home." 



" Oh, I understand you, Sir; I will not inconvenience you 

 again ! " 



" That is all I require, Sir." 



" Very well, Sir." 



And M. Durut shut his window Tiolently. Arnold fancied 

 himself happily delivered from annoyance ; but from that day 

 all the stale vegetables, bones of meat, and other refuse from 

 the house of Durut, were thrown over the wall into Arnold's 

 garden. I will not venture to mention all that was done in 

 this way. At first, Arnold had them removed without com- 

 plaining; but one day, when the nuisance had been more 

 serious than usual, he perceived M. Durut at his window, and 

 called him. M. Durut took no notice. Arnold called a 

 second time ; M. Durut then condescended to hear him, and 

 answered — 



" I am not at home. Sir." 



" Come, come. Sir; I am not now disposed to joke.'' 



" Oh, Sir, every one ought to be at liberty in his own home ! " 



" Certainly, Sir ; but I insist upon your not throwing your 

 refuse, in the manner you do, into my garden." 



"Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta!" 



And M. Durut left the window. Arnold ordered his ser- 

 vants to throw everything back, for the future, that should 

 come over the wall from M. Durut's. M. Durut had a com- 

 plaint before the mayor, that M. Arnold threw refuse over 

 into his garden. The mayor summoned Arnold, and repri- 

 manded him, Ajmold replied that he only returned that 

 which had been thrown into his garden. The mayor did not 

 believe him. Arnold grew angry, and, by some hasty expres- 

 sions, prejudiced the mayor against him. Three days after- 

 wards, a summons was brought by an officer to Arnold's house. 

 The king, according to the formula employed by officers, who 

 thus attribute to the king strange words and strange things, 

 commanded Arnold, within twentp-four hours at the utmost, 

 to cut down the poplars which formed a screen between the 

 two properties, the document being embellished with the most 

 formidable threats in the event of its not being obeyed. Arnold 

 was astounded, and went to consult his man of business. The 



