for the four o'clock _table-d'hote_. In the
evening there will be quite a little society, and we shall
dance. I assure you, monsieur, that we also know how to be gay
at Chaudfontaine."

"I don't doubt it," answered Graham; "and though I don't care
much about dancing----"

"You don't care about dancing?" interrupted the Belgian with
astonishment; "but that is of your nation, Monsieur. You are
truly an extraordinary people, you English; you travel, you
climb, you ride, you walk, and you do not dance!"

"I think we dance too, sometimes," said the young Englishman,
laughing; "but I own that it is walking I care for most just
now--the country about here seems to be wonderfully pretty."

"In fact it is not bad," said the Belgian, with the air of
paying it a compliment; "and if you take care to return in
time for the four o'clock _table-d'hote_, you cannot do better
than make a little promenade to gain an appetite for dinner. I
can promise you an excellent one--they keep an admirable cook.
I entreat you not to think of leaving for Brussels; and
precisely you cannot go," he added, drawing out his watch,
"for it is just the hour that the train leaves, and I hear the
whistle at this moment."

And, in fact, though they could not see the train from where
they stood, they heard its shrill whistle as it rushed into
the station on the other side of the river.

"So it is decided," said Graham, "and I remain."

"And you do wisely, Monsieur," cried his companion; "believe
me, you will not regret passing a day in this charming little
spot. Do they speak much in England of Chaudfontaine,
Monsieur?"

"Well, no," Horace was obliged to acknowledge, "they do not."

"Ah!" said the Belgian, a little disappointed; "but they speak
of Brussels, perhaps?"

"Oh! yes, every one knows Brussels," answered Graham.

"It is a beautiful city," remarked his companion, "and has a
brilliant society; but for my part, I own that at this season
of the year I prefer the retirement, the tranquillity of
Chaudfontaine, where also one amuses oneself perfectly well. I
always spend two or three months here--in fact, have been here
for six weeks already this summer. Affairs called me to Aix-
la-Chapelle last week for a few days, and that was how I had
the good fortune to meet Monsieur last night."

"It was very lucky for me," said Horace. "I am delighted to be
here. The hotel seems to be very empty," he added. "I have
seen nobody this morning except o