"No, but you can be carried in a coach, I suppose," replied the baron in a similar tone, "if I wish it." "Let him be dressed," he continued, turning to the wife. "I will send a coach for him in half an hour--and take charge of him until he is better. That will buy you some bread for the present," and he gave another crown and hastened away. In the afternoon the baron attended the patient again at the _maison de sante_. He ordered him a bath, and prescribed medicines. For a month he visited him daily; and he did not quit him until he was convalescent. Nor then--for upon the day of the poor fellow's discharge, he presented him with a horse and water-cart, and a purse containing five louis-d'or. "Take care of the money," said the charitable donor, "do not be extravagant. If you are ill--come to me always." The water-carrier--a bluff, sturdy fellow in his way--would have thanked the baron could he have kept quiet; but he stood roaring like a child, perfectly overcome with the kindness he had received. It was some months afterwards that Francois announced two visitors. When they appeared, I recognised my old acquaintance the water-carrier, grown hale and hearty, accompanied by a stranger, of the same condition in life as himself, and looking very ill. "_Ah, mon ami_!" exclaimed the baron, shaking him by the hand, "how does the world use you?" "Look at me," answered the carrier--"just look at me." "Ay, ay," said the baron. "Flesh enough upon you now! Who is your friend?" "Ah, it's about him I came! He is very ill, isn't he? He is a water-carrier, too. He was going to another doctor, but I wouldn't allow it. No, no--that wouldn't have been the thing after all you have done for me. I hope I know better. He is very bad, and hasn't got a sixpence in the world." I could not help smiling, at this original display of gratitude--and the baron laughed outright; his heart grew glad within him as he answered, pressing the honest carrier's hardy hand-- "Right--right--quite right! _Mon enfant_, bring them all to me!" M'Linnie, who was not honoured by the baron's confidence, seemed to be well acquainted with his peculiarities. I mentioned to him his extraordinary treatment of the water-carriers, and attributed it all, without hesitation, to downright insanity. "Not that exactly," said Mac. "It is caprice, and the inconsistency of human nature. He is strongly attached to all _Auvergnats_, and to water-carriers in particular. His predilection that way is well known in Paris. Perhaps his father was a water-carrier--or his first love a girl from Auvergne. Who can tell what gave rise to the partiality in a mind that is full of bias and contradiction!"