During this recognition, which took place on the edge of the ditch, Monsieur Ménard outdid himself in salutations, pulling Frédéric gently by his coat-tails the while, in order to lead him back to the highroad, which seemed to him a more suitable place for his introduction to the noble Pole. At last, Dubourg turned to Ménard, and said, addressing Frédéric: "Have I the honor of seeing monsieur le comte your father?" And he bestowed upon the tutor the most gracious and most dignified smile imaginable. "No," said Frédéric; "but he has been a second father to me. Allow me to present Monsieur Ménard, my former tutor." "Monsieur Ménard!" said Dubourg, assuming an expression of unfeigned admiration, and gazing at the tutor as one might gaze at Voltaire. "What! can it be that this is Monsieur Ménard? Peste! I have often heard of him; the _primus inter pares_ of tutors! How delighted I am to make his acquaintance! _Tandem felix_, Monsieur Ménard, since I know you." Monsieur Ménard did not know where he was; this deluge of courtesies and flattery from the Palatine of Rava and Sandomir so confused and delighted him, that his profuse salutations would have landed him in the ditch a second time, had not Frédéric caught him opportunely. Dubourg finally put an end to the poor man's embarrassment by taking his hand and pressing it hard. "What a great honor you do me, monsieur le baron," he stammered.--"So you are acquainted with Baron Potoski?" he added, turning to Frédéric. "Acquainted with him!" was the reply, accompanied by a smile; "why, we are close friends. Dear Dubourg!" "What do you say? Dubourg?" cried Ménard. "Yes," hastily interposed the pretended baron; "that is the name I went by at Paris, where I was compelled to maintain the strictest incognito, being intrusted by my government with a secret and very delicate mission." "I understand, I understand," said Ménard. "Continue to call me Dubourg, my dear Frédéric; that was my name when I first knew you, and it will always be dear to me." While Ménard went to inspect the overturned vehicle, Frédéric said to Dubourg, in an undertone: "The method you employed to join me was a little violent, do you know? You nearly killed poor Ménard and me."