"That," said Christopher, "is never so when the regulations of nature are held to. Offense comes of brutality, and brutality is occasioned by an excess of life; nature never gives too much life, for she knows it to be dangerous. The finer aromatic plants, whose proper home is in dry, sandy soils, if transplanted to a moist, rich one, leap up, robustly; they attain to a thick bulk, a vigor not known before, and a rich oiliness of sap. But they lose their fragrance; their active principle is sacrificed to their increased vitality." "If that's a saying of your scholar, I think he said truly," said Anthony. "What is true of plants is also true of animals, of men, and of nations," pronounced Christopher. "Your horse, now, is an excellent servant and a steady friend. But feed him high and work him little and he's hard to control. Give a man riches, and he begins to fatten, if not in body, then in wits; and fat about the wits, as any doctor of the soul can tell you, is a dangerous thing, for it promotes the growth of self, which is the essence of that brutality of which I just now spoke." From outside came the sharp _rat-tat-tat_ of a knocker. "Visitors to my lodgers," said the little apothecary. There was the sound of feet on the stairs, the opening and closing of a door, and faint voices beyond the wall. "They have many, for people who mingle so little in the social life of the town." "Men, mostly, I should say," said Anthony. "Why, yes," said Christopher, "I think that's true, though I had not thought of it before." "Foreign men, I think you have told me." "French," said Christopher. "But, then, that is not strange, since they are French themselves." "I wonder," said Anthony, "have you ever noticed a man go in and out who wore a black patch over his eye?" "I have, more than once. But he is an American. Do you know," asked Christopher, with some pride, "that the much-spoken-of French minister, Citizen Genêt, has been here?" "No," said Anthony, and put aside his pipe. "It was not many days ago; almost as soon as he reached the city. My lodgers seem people of consequence." Anthony was silent for a space; then he said: "Have you taken note of any of their American visitors?" "Yes, I've seen Mr. Tarrant a few times; and once, while he was there, a companion of his, who had not gone in, stepped into my place to be out of the cold. A strapping young man; and good-humored, too. I never saw any one so ready to laugh." Then the little apothecary began talking of mademoiselle. Such a fine creature--oh, such a really wonderful young woman! There were so many kindly notes in her voice when she talked to one, and there was so much gentleness in her eyes.