Time rolled on, and the clock was on the stroke of eight.  “Let us go,” said the worthies, “for we must eat a salad with our sister, who has not seen us to day.”

I did not object, and accompanied the two pleasant old men to their carriage, and saw them leave.

Perhaps, the question may be asked, if their long visit did not annoy me.

I answer, no.  The attention of my guests was sustained by the preparation of the fondue, by their examination of my rooms, by a few novelties after dinner, by the tea, and especially by the punch, which was the best they had ever tasted.

The Doctor, too, knew all the genealogy and history of the people of Paris.  The Captain had passed a portion of his life in Italy, either as a soldier or as envoy to the Court of Parma.  I had travelled much, and conversation pursued its natural bent.  Under such circumstances time could not but fly rapidly.

On the next day, a letter from the Doctor informed me, that their little debauch had done them no harm, but that after a quiet night’s rest, they awoke convinced that they could go over the whole matter again.

Meditation XV.

HALTES de chasse.

Amid all the circumstances in life, when eating is considered valuable, one of the most agreeable is, doubtless, when there is a pause in the chase.  It alone may be prolonged the most without ennui.

After a few hours exercise, the most eager huntsman feels a necessity for rest.  His face needs caressing by the morning breeze:  he halts, however, not from necessity, but by that instinctive impulse which tells him that his activity is not indefinite.

Shade attracts him, the turf receives him, the murmur of the rivulet advises him to open the flask he has brought to revive himself I with. [Footnote:  For such purposes, I prefer white wine; it resists heat better than any other.] Thus placed, he takes out the little well baked loaves, uncovers the cold chicken some kind hand has placed in his havresack, and finds the piece of gruyere or roquefort, which is to represent a dessert.

While he makes these preparations, he is accompanied by the faithful animal God has created for him; co-operation has overcome distance.  They are two friends, and the servant is at once happy and proud to be the guest of his master.

It is an appetite equally unknown to the worldly and devotees:  the first do not allow hunger time to come:  the second never indulge in exercises which produce it.

The repast being prepared, each has its portion; why not sleep for a while?  Noon is an hour of rest for all creation.

The pleasures are decuples by being shared with friends.  In this case, a more abundant meal is brought in military chests now employed for both purposes.  All speak of the prowess of one, the messes at the other, and of the anticipations of the evening.