while, the Tentaillons are obligiug ; the table, with
your additions, will pass ; only the wine is execrable — ■
well, I shall send for some to-day. My Pharaoh will be
gratified to drink a decent glass ; aha ! and I shall see if
he possesses that acme of organisation — a palate. If he
has a palate, he is perfect."

" Henri," she said, shaking her head, " you are a
man ; you cannot understand my feelings ; no woman
could shake ofE the memory of so public a humiliation."

The Doctor could not restrain a titter. " Pardon
me, darling," he said ; "but really, to the philosophical
intelligence, the incident appears so small a trifle. You
looked extremely well "

" Henri ! " she cried.
"Well, well, I will say no more," he replied.
"Though, to be sure, if you had consented to indue

-1 propos," he broke off, "and my trousers ! They

are lying in the snow — my favourite trousers?" And
he dashed in quest of Jean-Marie.
Two hours afterwards the boy returned to the inn
with a spade under one arm and a curious sop of cloth-
ing under the other.
The Doctor ruefully took it in his hands. " They
have been !" he said. " Their tense is past. Excellent
pantaloons, you are no more ! Stay ! something in the
pocket," and he produced a piece of paper. " A letter !
ay, now I mind me ; it was received on the morning of
the gale, when I was absorbed in delicate investigations.
