110 A TOUK ROUND MT GAEDEN. 



" Your pardon !" again interrupted Arnold; " but Vandael 

 and Joseph JJeschiens are likewise white and violet." 



This time M. ESault shrugged his shoulders with a move- 

 ment of impatience ; one of the spectators replied to Mm by 

 a nearly similar sign, but which, however, had this particular 

 shade, that it exhorted M. Elault to have pity on the profane, 

 and exercise his patience. This gentleman remained a little 

 behind with Arnold, and said in a low voice, " You are not 

 an amateur, Sir?" 



" Not yet. Sir ; I have only twelve tulips." 



" Ah ! that's very few indeed ; there are eighteen hundred 

 here, and all different." 



" But, Sir, I have only yet looked at three, and they ap- 

 peared to me perfectly alike." 



" Ah, Sir ! these three plants are no more alike than day 

 and night; for experienced eyes, there is no resemblance 

 between them." 



" No resemblance! that appears rather strong, Sir." 



" It is you, Sir, who are not strong upon the subject of 

 tulips. All three are violet and white, it is true ; the ground 

 of all three is white, and the streaks are violet ; but the violet 

 is not the same." 



" Ah, I perceive ! — thank you. Sir." 



" Don't name it. Sir." 



Both rejoined M. Klault ; he was pointing with his wand 

 to a white and rose-coloured tuUp. 



" Czarterishi, gentlemen, a flower of fifth line ; allow me to 

 point out the whiteness of the onglets; and what a carriage I 

 Gentlemen, what a carriage !" 



And whilst saying these words, M. Rgault pressed his 

 wand against the green stalk of the tulip, and appeared to 

 make the greatest efforts to bend it, without, however, suc- 

 ceeding. 



" It is a rod, gentleman; it is a bar of iron." 



" Sir," said Arnold to him who had already had compassion 

 on him, and afforded him a charitable explanation, " do you 

 believe that M. Egault really presses so hard with his wand 

 upon the tulip 1 — and is it also a great advantage that the 

 stalk of such a light flower should be a bar of iron, as he says 

 it is?" 



