"We are apt to be exacting with those whom we esteem, I would venture to say with those whom we admire, if I did not fear to offend your modesty." "Are you really going?" said the marquis after a moment of problematical silence and in a still more problematical tone. "Yes, monsieur le marquis, I offer you my compliments." "Why will you not dine with me?" "That is impossible," Emile replied, bewildered and appalled by such a suggestion. "You would be terribly bored!" said the marquis, with a sigh which found, I know not how, the road to Emile's heart. "Monsieur," he replied, with spontaneous cordiality, "I will come again and dine with you when you choose." "To-morrow, then!" said Monsieur de Boisguilbault in a melancholy tone, which seemed desirous to contradict the heartiness of his invitation. "To-morrow, so be it," rejoined the young man. "Oh no! not to-morrow," said the marquis; "to-morrow will be Monday, a bad day for me. But Tuesday; will that suit you?" Emile accepted with very good grace, but in his heart he was dismayed at the idea of a tête-à-tête of some hours with that dead man, and he regretted an outburst of compassion which he had been unable to resist. Monsieur de Boisguilbault meanwhile seemed to lay aside his fear; he insisted upon escorting his visitor to the gate where he had tied his horse. "You have a pretty little animal there," he said, examining Corbeau with the eye of a connoisseur. "He's a _Brenne_, well-bred, strong and quiet. Are you a good horseman?" "I have more experience and courage than skill," replied Emile; "I have never had time to learn equestrianism by rule, but I intend to do so as soon as I have a favorable opportunity." "It is a noble and useful exercise," said the marquis; "if you care to come and see me now and then, I will place what little I know at your service." Emile accepted the offer courteously, but he could not forbear a significant glance at the slender individual who put himself forward as a professor. "Is this fellow well trained?" Monsieur de Boisguilbault inquired, as he patted Corbeau's neck. "He is docile and willing, but otherwise he's as ignorant as his master." "I don't care very much for animals," said the marquis; "however, I sometimes give a little attention to horses and I will show you some very good pupils of mine. Will you allow me to try the qualities of yours?" Emile made haste to turn his courser for the marquis to mount; but he was so afraid of an accident when he saw how slowly and painfully the old man hoisted himself into the saddle, that he could not refrain from warning him, even at the risk of insulting him, that Corbeau was a little restive and mettlesome.