As I was leaving my big room, I was accosted politely by a man who said he was glad to be my neighbour, and offered to take me to the fountain if I were going there. I accepted his offer. He was a tall fair man, about fifty years old; he must once have been handsome, but his excessive politeness should have made me suspect him; however, I wanted somebody to talk to, and to give me the various pieces of information I required. On the way he informed me of the condition of the people I had seen, and I learnt that none of them had come to Aix for the sake of the waters. "I am the only one," said he, "who takes them out of necessity. I am consumptive; I get thinner every day, and if the waters don't do me any good I shall not last much longer." So all the others have only come here for amusement's sake?" "And to game, sir, for they are all professional gamesters." "Are they French?" "They are all from Piedmont or Savoy; I am the only Frenchman here." "What part of France do you come from?" "From Lorraine; my father, who is eighty years old, is the Marquis Desarmoises. He only keeps on living to spite me, for as I married against his wishes he has disinherited me. However, as I am his only son, I shall inherit his property after his death, in spite of him. My house is at Lyons, but I never go there, as I have the misfortune to be in love with my eldest daughter, and my wife watches us so closely as to make my courtship hopeless." "That is very fine; otherwise, I suppose, your daughter would take pity on her amorous papa?" "I daresay, for she is very fond of me, and has an excellent heart." CHAPTER XX My Adventures at Aix--My Second M. M.--Madame Zeroli This man, who, though he did not know me, put the utmost confidence in me, so far from thinking he was horrifying me by the confession of such wickedness, probably considered he was doing me a great honour. While I listened to him I reflected that though depraved he might have his good points, and that his weakness might have a pitiable if not a pardonable side. However, wishing to know more of him, I said,-- "In spite of your father's sternness, you live very well." "On the contrary, I live very ill. I enjoy a pension from the Government, which I surrender to my wife, and as for me I make a livelihood on my travels. I play black gammon and most other games perfectly. I win more often than I lose, and I live on my winnings." "But is what you have told me about your daughter known to the visitors here?" "Everybody knows it; why should I hide it? I am a man of honour and injure no one; and, besides, my sword is sharp." "Quite so; but would you tell me whether you allow your daughter to have a lover?" "I should have no objection, but my wife is religious." "Is your daughter pretty?" "Very; if you are going to Lyons, you can go and see her; I will give you a letter of introduction for her."