"But when that's all gone, monsieur le baron?" "Parbleu! then we'll see; there's no use of worrying beforehand. Frédéric can write to his father." "I am afraid monsieur le comte will be angry----" "I will write to my aunt." "To your aunt, monsieur le baron?" "I should say, to my steward. At all events, we will find some way out of it. Besides, suppose we should groan and moan--would that help matters at all? So let us make the best of it. Come, it's a superb night, and we have had a good rest--let's push on. Faith! there's nothing like travelling on foot, if you want to admire the landscape. Come, my dear Ménard, summon your courage! Since we have been together, we have had lots of ups and downs; have you ever seen me mope?" "Ah! monsieur le baron, everybody isn't as philosophical as you are." "I will train you. Think of the misfortunes of Marius, Hannibal, Prince Edward; of the poverty of the grand-daughter of Henri IV; of the woes of Marguerite of Anjou; and of all the other people who have found themselves in much more difficult positions than ours--and complain again, if you dare!" The travellers resumed their journey. Dubourg was a curious sight in his full dress, starched ruff, and thin pumps, walking beside Ménard, who wore silk short-clothes, black stockings, and buckled shoes, and who was compelled, in that costume, to climb hills, jump ditches, and plod along over ground that, at the best, was very uneven. Luckily, they had taken their hats when they went out to see the fireworks, otherwise they would have had to traverse Dauphiné as if they were calling on their neighbors. At daybreak, they stopped at a peasant's house and obtained breakfast. Dubourg ordered an omelet and some native wine. They ate their repast under an arbor, surrounded by domestic animals who came to keep them company. "How pleasant it is in the open air!" said Dubourg; "are all the gilded halls and antechambers on earth equal to this open country--to the perfect liberty which is ours at this moment?" "It is certain," rejoined Ménard, driving away a big cat that persisted in putting its paws in his plate, "it is certain that we are entirely at liberty here,--that there is no suspicion of restraint---- Well, well, here's the dog now, trying to get my bread!" "Well, Monsieur Ménard, every creature must live. In the time of our first parents, these innocent beasts shared their masters' meals; the lion ate from the hand of man, and the tiger gambolled at his feet." "You must agree, monsieur le baron, that those animals have changed greatly in their disposition." "Never mind; I love everything that recalls those days of innocence. When I look at this hen walking on our table, and this duck splashing in the mud at our feet, I fancy that I am living in the Age of Gold. Not until I feel in my pocket do I realize the delusion."