“Yes, he opened to you on your return. And you were so full of pride when you came in, that I said to you,--‘Fie, compère; pride does not become mortals, more especially monks.’” “And of what was I proud?” “Of the success your discourse had met with, and the compliments paid to you by the Duc de Guise and M. de Mayenne.” “Now I understand all.” “That is lucky. Then you confess you went to the assembly; what did you call it? Oh! the Holy Union.” Gorenflot groaned. “I am a somnambulist,” he said. “What does that mean?” “It means, that with me mind is stronger than matter; so that while the body sleeps, the spirit wakes, and sometimes is so powerful that it forces the body to obey.” “Ah! compère, that sounds much like magic; if you are possessed, tell me so frankly; for, really a man who walks and makes discourses in his sleep in which he attacks the king is not natural. Vade retro, Satanas!” “Then,” cried Gorenflot, “you abandon me also. Ah! I could not have believed that of you.” Chicot took pity on him. “What did you tell me just now?” said he. “I do not know; I feel half mad, and my stomach is empty.” “You spoke of traveling.” “Yes, the holy prior sends me.” “Where to?” “Wherever I like.” “I also am traveling, and will take you with me.” Gorenflot looked bewildered. “Well! do you accept?” continued Chicot. “Accept! I should think so. But have you money to travel with?” “Look,” said Chicot, drawing out his purse. Gorenflot jumped for joy. “How much?” said he. “One hundred and fifty pistoles.” “And where are we going?” “You shall see.” “When shall we breakfast?” “Immediately.” “What shall I ride?” “Not my horse; you would kill it.” “Then what must I do?” “Nothing more simple; I will buy you an ass.” “You are my benefactor, M. Chicot. Let the ass be strong. Now, where do we breakfast?” “Here; look over this door and read.” Gorenflot looked up, and saw, “Here eggs, ham, eel-pies, and white wine may be had!” At this sight, Gorenflot’s whole face expanded with joy. “Now,” said Chicot, “go and get your breakfast, while I go and look for an ass for you.” CHAPTER XXVIII. HOW BROTHER GORENFLOT TRAVELED UPON AN ASS, NAMED PANURGE, AND LEARNED MANY THINGS HE DID NOT KNOW BEFORE. What made Chicot so indifferent to his own repast was, that he had already breakfasted plentifully. Therefore, he sat Gorenflot down to eggs and bacon, while he went among the peasants to look for an ass. He found a pacific creature, four years old, and something between an ass and a horse; gave twenty-two livres for it, and brought it to Gorenflot, who was enchanted at the sight of it, and christened it Panurge. Chicot, seeing by the look of the table that there would be no cruelty in staying his companion’s repast, said,-- “Come, now we must go on; at Mélun we will lunch.” Gorenflot got up, merely saying, “At Mélun, at Mélun.”