u talk as if you had been studying the subject of love
diligently--and Petrarch's sonnets as well; but notwithstanding all
that, Maitre Bilot, I don't believe you thoroughly understand anything
outside of your own wines and sauces, which, I am bound to admit, are
always excellent. And pray, who is the favoured object of this Platonic
attachment?"

"One of the members of the troupe," Bilot replied, "and it is not to be
wondered at, for he's a handsome young fellow, and very different from
the rest of them; far superior, more like a gentleman than an actor; and
I shrewdly suspect he is one," added the landlord, with a knowing look.

"Well, now you must be happy!" said the Chevalier de Vidalinc to
his friend. "Here are unexpected obstacles in plenty, and a perfect
none-such of a prize. A virtuous actress is a rare phenomenon, not to be
found every day in the week. You are in luck!"

"Are you sure," continued the young duke, still addressing the landlord,
and without paying any attention to the last remark, "that this chaste
Isabelle does not accord any privileges secretly to that conceited young
jackanapes? I despise the fellow thoroughly, and detest him as well."

"Your lordship does not know her," answered Maitre Bilot, "or I should
not need to declare, as I do, that she is as spotless as the ermine. She
would rather die than suffer a stain upon her purity. It is impossible
to see much of her without perceiving that; it shines out in everything
that she says and does."

Hereupon a long discussion followed as to the best manner of conducting
the attack upon this fair citadel, which the young nobleman became more
and more determined to conquer, as new difficulties were suggested. The
worthy landlord, who was a shrewd fellow and had made a just estimate
of Isabelle's character, finished by advising his noble interlocutor
to turn his attention to Serafina, "who was very charming, and not less
beautiful than Isabelle, and who would be greatly pleased and flattered
by his lordship's notice." This, because he felt sure that the duke
would not succeed with Isabelle, in spite of his exalted rank, handsome
person, and immense wealth, and he wished to spare him an inevitable
disappointment.

"It is Isabelle that I admire, and will have," said Vallombreuse, in
a dry tone that put an end to the discussion. "Isabelle, and no other,
Maitre Bilot."

Then plunging his hand into his pocket, he drew forth a goodly number of
gold pi