"Baron, we are now in Germany, at the house of one of the most worthy representatives of the old nobility of the Empire. The rule of this house ought to be inviolable; thus, then, my worthy huntsman," addressing himself to Erhard Trusches, "and you, my brave director of the family tuns, hogsheads and barrels, take your places again, with the consent of the baron, who, I hope, will not refuse me this grace." At a sign from the baron, the two servants joyfully replaced their plates at the lower end of the table. The governor pointed to the Marquis's seat, and all prepared to attack the venison, and the immense dish of sauer-kraut and bacon which smoked on the table. The baron plunged his knife into the venison to carve it, when Létorière, with a grave and solemn air, putting his hand on the governor's arm,-- "One moment, baron I devil take me if I ever dine without saying blessing and grace." The baron frowned, and answered with impatience and embarrassment: "Since my chaplain died I have almost forgotten the words; but I give the sense--Well, don't you know the blessing, Erhard?" "No, my lord," said Erhard, in a peevish tone, "I say it once for the year, and yesterday was my day for saying it." "And you, Selbitz?" "I, my lord! my brother, the minister of Blumenthal, says it for me every day." "Ah, baron, are you all Turks? So it will fall to me to say grace." And the Marquis said in a loud voice, "Great St. Hubert, please to make the venison fat, the wine good, the appetite ravenous, and the thirst unquenchable." Then he emptied at one draught the tankard which held a pint of Rhine wine, wiped his mustaches with the back of his hand, and, putting the mug on the table, said _Amen._ This pleasantry made the worthy governor almost burst with laughter; imitating the prowess of his guest, he drank at one breath his cup of wine, repeated Amen with the voice of a Stentor, and found his solicitor a jolly good fellow. The two servants, quite as much tickled as their master by the strange blessing of the Marquis, nevertheless moderated the expression of their gayety. "Selbitz," said the governor, soon animated by the good cheer and the sallies of Létorière, "go and refill our tankards, and don't forgot yours and Erhard's; it is a fête to-day at Henferester, in honor of my guest." And the baron affectionately tendered his great hand to the Marquis, whose fingers he rudely squeezed, as much in genuine cordiality as to show his strength. Létorière, who, under a delicate exterior, concealed great muscular strength, answered his pressure quite as roughly. The baron, who had not expected this proof of his vigor, said, laughing, with an astonished air: "A rod of steel is often as strong as a great bar of iron, my guest." "But unhappily, baron, a great glass will hold more than a little one," replied the Marquis.