stopped. The streets here were quiet and almost deserted after the
busy thoroughfares of the central city. The houses stood, for the
most part, back from the street, with high walls and heavy gates.

"Here we are at last," his guide said, as he halted before a large
and massive gateway, surmounted by a coat of arms with supporters
carved in stone work. He rang at the bell, which was opened by a
porter in livery, who bowed profoundly upon seeing M. du Tillet.
Passing through the doorway, Harry found himself in a spacious
hall, decorated with armour and arms. As he crossed the threshold
M. du Tillet took his hand and shook it heartily, saying, "Welcome!"
Harry understood the action, though not the words, and nodded,
saying:

"I think I shall get on capitally if they are all as jolly as you
are."

Then they both laughed, and Harry looked round wondering what was
coming next.

"The marquis and his family are all away at their chateau near
Dijon," his companion said, waving his hand. "We shall stay a day
or two to rest ourselves after our journey, and then start to join
them."

He led Harry into a great salon magnificently furnished, pointed
to the chairs and looking-glasses and other articles of furniture,
all swathed up in coverings; and the lad understood at once that
the family were away. This was a relief to him; he was getting on
capitally with M. du Tillet, but shrank from the prospect of meeting
so many strange faces.

A meal was speedily served in a small and comfortably-furnished
apartment; and Harry concluded that although he might not be able
to decide on the nature of his food, it was really nice, and that
there was no fear whatever of his falling away in flesh. M. du
Tillet pressed him to try the wine again, and this he found to be
a vast improvement upon the vintage he had tasted at Calais.

After breakfast next morning they started for a walk, and Harry
was delighted with the Louvre, the Tuileries, the Palais Royal, and
other public buildings, which he could not but acknowledge were
vastly superior to anything he had seen in London. Then he was
taken to a tailor's, the marquis having commissioned his guide to
carry out Dr. Sandwith's request in this matter. M. du Tillet looked
interrogatively at Harry as he entered the shop, as if to ask if
he understood why he was taken there.

Harry nodded, for indeed he was glad to see that no time was
to be lost, for he was already conscious that his dress