Year: 1859

q II
day, in the month Of November, l631, th;;
traveller, mufiied in an ample riding cloak,
and mounted on strong-limbed Limousen
horse stopped at the door of an inn in the
village of Ruel, close 10 the Park boundary
of Malmaison, which was at that period in
the possession of and occupied 10y Cardinal
Richelieu. The travel-staincd, weary ap-
pearance of both horse and rider betokeuod
that they had come from afar \ felt hat
without feathers, and a pourpoint of plain
black cloth, unadorned by either ribands or
lace, indicated that the traveller belonged
not to the class of court rutflers, so renown-
ed in that day for their dexterity in hand,
ling the sword and dagger. But, from the
form Of his mustache, the sober expression
of his calm and penetrating eye, and the
general style Of his dress and eqnipagc, it
was to be inferred that Le was one OF the
class Of active and independent burghers.
whose fathers had been the originators Of
the League, and who, although at the mo-
ment crushed almost into extinction by he
iron gripe Of Richelieu, We're destined sub
sequently to revive, and figure for space
In the Saturnala of the Frondc, and then
to become extinguished and lost forever in
the overwhelming glory of Louis the Four
/ teenth


/ Alighting at the entrance of the inn, the
travellers first care was, 10 desire that his
horse should be well looked to his second,
that dinner should be prepared for him
forthwith He was then conducted into
one of the best chambers in the house,
where, blazing fire of dried branches of
the vine having been lighted for him, he
took off his wet garments. spread them out
to dry, and drawing chair into the Chin
ny-corner, warmed himself at his case
While he was thus employed another trav-
eller also on horseback, pulled up at the
same inn, and inquired whether dinner
could be prepared for him Immediately
He was answered by the hostess. that it
would not be in her power to serve him, as
all the provisions that remained in the house
had been bespoken by traveller who bad
preceded him, and who was at that moment
going to place himself at table.


Co. said the last conner. and ask the
gentleman if he will permit me to share
bis dinner, in which case will gladly d.
vide the reckoning with him.


The hostess lost no time III conveying the
message to her inmate in the choicest terms.
Tell the person who sends you, replied
the burgher politely, that he will confer a
favor upon me by becoming my guest at din
ner, but that am not accustomed to allow
any one to pay the reckoning Of a repast to
which invite him And the new conner
without further preliminary, having accep-
ted the courtesy as frankly as it was offer
ed, was introduced into the private cham
Der of the burgher, whore seated before 4
brisk fire, the two travellers Did ample hon
or to the dinner that was set before them.


The nature Of the recontrc banished all
ceremony from the tete-a-tete repast, which
was as gay as it was possible to be between
two persons who had never before met.
The several viands that were served up
we're all excellent Of their kind aud bot
tie Of fine old Chambertin which was pla-
ced upon the table at the dessert, appeared
to be the signal for discarding the common
place generalities upon which the converse
ton Of the two strangers had hitherto turn
ed, and established a more confidential
communication between them The one
who played the part of guest, warmed by
the generous wine that sparkled in his glass
could not forbear complimenting bis obi.
ging Amphyctrion upon the excellence 0,
his entertainment.


You must BE- well known in this inn,
said he, in order to be - well served"
L. replied the other, not at all, | As
sure you"


Probably. then, you inhsbit the neigh.
borhood, aud are in the habit Of often pas
sing this way


Il am here for the first time in my life
to-day answered the burgher 1 come
from La Rochelle.


. From La Rochelle repeated the other
With gesture Of surprise.


From La Rochelle" said the burgher


And what may ask, can have brough
you from such distance p pursued bis in
,errogator.


Oh, provoking reason enough.
: have been sent for by Monseigneu- le Car
e dinal'


by Monseigneur le Cardinal ezclaim
! ed the first speaker, with increased aston


ishment Pardon the question am abou


TO mt IN yor-haye you eyer been inyo|