I SPENT the night on the sofa, as the only bed in the establishment belonged to Paragot. The next morning I took my scanty belongings to my old attic, which fortunately happened to be unlet, and left my master in undisturbed possession of his apartment. In the evening, calling to make polite inquiries as to his health, I found him still in bed looking grimier and bristlier than the night before. "My son," said he, "the bread of liberty is sweet, but when you are starving you should not over-eat yourself. An old French writer says: '_Après le plaisir vient la peine, Après la peine la vertu._' I've had the pain that follows pleasure, but whether I shall attain the consequential virtue I don't know. For the present, however, I am condemned to it against my will." "How so?" I asked. "I have a great desire to rise and seek the Nepenthe of the Café Delphine, but a whimsical fate keeps me coatless and hatless in a virtuous house. I am also comparatively shirtless, which does not so much matter." "I'm afraid my things wouldn't fit you, Master," said I sitting on the edge of the bed. "The only coat which the good Blanquette has preserved is the pearl-buttoned velveteen jacket in which I fiddled away so many happy hours." "Why not wear it, until your bag arrives from Melford?" "In Arcadian villages," he replied, "it commanded respect. In the Café Delphine I'm afraid it would only excite derision." Presently a strong odour of onions gave promise of an approaching meal, and a little while afterwards Blanquette entered with the announcement that soup was on the table. Paragot rose, donned trousers and slippers and went forth into the salon to dine. "Simplicity is one of the canons of high art. Life is an art, as I have endeavoured to teach you. Therefore in life we should aim at simplicity. To complicate existence into the intricacy of a steam-engine with white ties and red socks is an offence against art of which I will never again be guilty. It is also more comfortable to eat soup with your elbows on the table. _N'est-ce pas_, Blanquette?" "_Bien sûr_," she replied, bending over her bowl, "where else could one put them?"