250 A TOUR EOTJND MY GARDEN. 



the crown diamonds, but I am not the possessor of them any 

 the more for that. Breathe this odour, and look at this 

 colour ! — the leaves evergreen — my poor Ollbruck ! A tree 

 which does not shed its leaves in the winter — ^and what leaves ! 

 green at top and lined with silver ! I did not expect to see 

 you so completely astonished. Never mind, Ollbruck, you will 

 have your revenge next year. Come, let us go and see your 

 prodigy ! " 



" My prodigy ! " cried Ollbruck, as if waking fi-om a dream. 

 " Yes, come, let us go and see it at once, and if you are not 

 as much astonished as I am — " 



We went straight to OUbruck's garden, and he showed us 

 — what ? — the Buddlea ! — precisely the same shrub we had 

 been admiring in RSmond's. 



Esmond was in his turn overwhelmed with vexation, for, 

 for him as well as for Ollbruck, the Buddlea immediately lost 

 V'M value. What does either care for its beautiful evergreeu 

 foliage, for the splendour or perfume of the flowers 1 



Upon inquiring into the cause of this whimsical coinci- 

 dence, it was found that they were both victims of the artful 

 knavery of a gardener. 



This comical fellow, knowing their mania, went to one after 

 the other ; but first presented himself to M. E6mond. 



" Monsieur Esmond, I have a rare plant to show you." 



"What is it?" 



" It is a Buddlea." 



" A Buddlea ! I don't know that name." 



" I can very well believe that : you don't know the plant ; 

 come and look at it at my garden." 



E6mond accompanied the gardener, and was astonished. 



" How much do you want for it t " 



« A louis." 



" How many have you of them ? " 



" Two. I mean to offer the second to M. Ollbruck." 



" Oh, no ! don't do that. What must I give you for the 

 two?" 



" Three louis." 



" What ! instead of abating me something." 



" Your taking both will be of no advantage to me. I am 

 certain that M. Ollbruck would take the second of me." 



