Year: 1860




thirty thousand norins. Lovers are like
drowning men in catching at straws, and
Frederick readily gave the promise.


Jean had never heard the story of A.
chilles, but he was of opinion that every
man had vulnerable point, and he
thought he knew that of his master. The
baron was gourmand of the most fastidi-
GUS sort. He could no more tolerate q
defect in dish than in reputation. Jean
had lived with him some time, and knew
how to spice and season exactly to his
masters taste, who often congratulated
himself that his cook was the younger OF
the two, and he should be likely to have
his services as long as he should need
them.


The willy Jean was quite aware of his
own value, and laid his plans accordingly F;
only stipuating that the baron should dine
aione. The next day the baroness and
Frederick found pretext for absenting
themselves, and when the baron seated
himself at the table, Jean, who would
trust to no other the care Of serving him
on this OCCASION. set before him a dish of
quails an salpicon.


Thanks, Jean, thanks" said the baron
"here Is something to console one for being
alone /; | am much obliged to you for your
attention"


81 thought could not take leave of
monseigneur in more suitable manner
than by giving him for the last time his
tavoritc dish"


"What do you mean? You do not in
tend to quit my service g


81 am sorry to say that am obliged TO
ask monseigneurs permission to leave
him."


but what is the matter Are you not
satisfied with the treatment you have re-
ceivcd 2"


Exactly so. 1 have nothing to ask for
myself


"Ah, see you have brother or
cousin who wants some situation. Tell me
what it is will take care of him"


"Monseigneur has been very kind to all
my family. There is not one Of them un-
provided for"


Jean, meanwhile, had filled his masters
plate, ard the aroma ascending to his nos
trils began to influence the olfactory
nerves.


Il never smclt anything equal to the
perfume of this ragcut. And you wish to
leave me"' he continued, looking at Jean
reprcachfully. TEL me the reason at
once, and will find means to remove the
difficulty"


"Monseigneur, I should never have the
audacity to explain the reason. You would
turn ME out of doors for such imperti-
ncnce."


i promise YOU that no harm shall hap
pen to you ! only insist that you shall
speak openly


Il beg you to excuse me, monseigneur.
What have | to DO with the family affairs
of the great Baron Lobenstein 1t is
lmpertlnent in a servant even to know
whether monsieur, his son, is to marry ac-
cording to his inclination or not"


A severe glance from the baron inform
ed Jean that he had already passed the
limits of discretion.


There was a silence of several minutes,
interrupted only by the collision of knife
and fork as they met now on the leg, now
on the wing of the bird; but at each
mouth.iul the cloud Oh the brow Of the
baron became less threatening.
! jean" he exclaimed, at length, "you
are inimitable. | never ate anything so
delicious as this quail


81 hope that, whoever my successor may
| l. L. IL lo..ar ,o,l;a1 bo
chcf de- cuisine, affecting an air Of great
modesty.


The rascal knows the contrary very
WELL" thought the baron.


Then, without looking at Jean, and as il
talking to himself. he resumed


at is strange how everybody persists in
taking the part of this Baron Corbach.-
What the deuce can be said in favor Of
such man."


Those people who are in a position to
Judge" insnuatcd Jean, ''pretend that a
son ought not to suffer for tie faults Of his
father


"On that point have had some scruples
myself"


They say, al o, that the charge is only
matter of rumor--that there never was
any proof ; and that whether it is wrong o!
not that a son should bear the penalty Of .
real crime in his father, it is cruel to make
him suffer for an imaginary one"
"In the absence of legal proofs, they
pretend. l suppose, one ought to have the
benefit of doubt"


They say, too-but | cannot repeat i
it is too insulting to monseigneur.'
81 order you to speak


IF ronseigneur commands it, l mus
say that some people have insinuated that
! in keeping the baron away from court
monseigneur is Influenced by the fear o
seeing his services effaced by a rival"
''Humph and you, l suppose, ar
among those who have formed this wis
: wise opinion; and perhaps you would lik
to enter the service of Baron Corbach."


"Oh, no, monseigneur, l should neve
, wish TO leave you, fit were not that you
, house Is 50 changed. You are troubled
5 Madame the Baroness is very sad an
, Monsieur Frederick in despair. Ny facul
ties suffer from this general gloom. N
ina gination grows dull. l can no longe
invent, Ny taste is blunted. | must tax
some decided step, i'll would save the littl
talent I have left.
! The baron was in that state Of beatitud
. which attends upon the completion Of a
: excellent meal.


: This is is a quail al salpicon," he sale
: passing his tongue over his lips, (Which
shall remember as long as live"
"Monseigneur will please to mention
in the certificate which hope he will hay
the goodness to give me"
"What an obstinate fellow :" cried tn
baron well, well We will talk abou
it tomorrow"


The next day there was rumor in tn,
| city that there had been an interview be
= tween the Baron Lobenstcin and Baro
y Cogbach, in which he had established hi
I fathers ;npocauoa hv e,lch conclusiy