EDMOND MAKES HIMSELF COMFORTABLE. 223 



omelette aux herbes ! Now, dost tliou know how / like an 

 omelette? The one that is good, really good, is an omelette 

 aux truffes ! that's what I call an omelette ! The table ser- 

 vice is not bad : I made myself a present the other day of a 

 pretty service in vermeil; one cannot have anything but 

 vermeil, now porters eat out of silver." 



All the supper-time this was the nature of his talk ; and, 

 to my great joy, as soon as the meal was over, he complained 

 of being fatigued, and requested to be conducted to his 

 chamber. Varai was soon back; Mr. Edmond wanted another 

 candle, being accustomed to leave one burning ; he could not 

 endure darkness. Then Edmond wanted his bed warmed; 

 then he must have some eau sucrle, in case of feeling thirsty 

 in the night; then another blanket and an additional pillow; 

 and the chimney must be stopped up, to keep out the air. 

 At length he got into bed, and I quicldy sought mine, for fear 

 Varai should ask me any questions about this gentleman, as 

 that would only have increased my ill-humour. 



He is come to pass a few days. What does he mean by a 

 few days ? Why did not I at once think of telling him I was 

 under an engagement to set out to-morrow on a journey? 

 Now it is too late. 



The dog came back, was tied up, and passed the night in 

 howling in such a horrible and melancholy manner as would 

 affect the strongest nerves. 



In the morning, when Varai informed him that break&st 

 was ready, Edmond coolly replied, " he could not get up so 

 early as that :" breakfast was put off an hour. When he came 

 down, I asked him if he had heard his dog ? 



" Oh ! yes," said he ; " poor Phanor ! it's only because he 

 does not know the house ; he will behave better in two or 

 three days. Tell me, now, blackey, what have you given him 

 to eat ?" 



" I got him some dog biscuit of a neighbour." 



" Oh, that wiU never do ; he must have some soup, and 

 that made thick, mind. Poor Phanor ! he is not accustomed 

 to dog-biscuit — that's all very well for nigger dogs." 



We went into the garden; Varai brought us pipes. He 

 condescended to take notice of a large cherry-tree pipe with 

 its amber mouthpiece, of the size of an egg, and said, " Ay I 



