ome faint resemblance to the beasts
and animals after which they had once been fashioned, though time and
growth had altered the outlines, and given to many a goodly lion or stag
the bristly coat of a porcupine. A little fountain, which spouted from
a sea-monster's nostrils, was grass-grown and choked with weeds.
Everything betokened neglect and ruin; even the sundial had fallen
across the walk, and lay moss-grown and forgotten; as though to say that
Time had no need of a record there. The _jalousies_, which were closed
in every window, permitted no view of the interior; nor did anything,
save a faint curl of light blue smoke from one chimney, give token of
habitation.

I could not help smiling to myself at the absurd fancy which had
suffered me to feel that this deserted quarter, this lonesome dwelling,
contained anything either adventurous or strange about it, or that
I should find either in the "pension" or its guests wherewithal to
interest or amuse me. With this thought I opened the wicket, and,
crossing the garden, pulled the bell-rope that hung beside the door.

The deep clanging echoed again and again to my summons, and ere it
ceased the door was opened, and M. Rubichon himself stood before me: no
longer, however, the M. Rubichon of the morning, in garments of worn
and tattered poverty, but attired in a suit which, if threadbare, was
at least clean and respectable-looking,--a white vest, and ruffles also,
added to the air of neatness of his costume; and whether from his
own deserts, or my surprise at the transformation, he seemed to me to
possess the look and bearing of a true gentleman.

Having welcomed me with the well-bred and easy politeness of one who
knew the habits of society, he gave orders to a servant girl to conduct
me to a room, adding, "May I beg of monsieur to make a rapid toilet, for
the dinner will be served in less than ten minutes?"

The M. Rubichon of the morning no more prepared me for that gentleman at
evening than did the ruinous exterior of the dwelling for the neat and
comely chamber into which I was now installed. The articles of furniture
were few, but scrupulously clean; and the white curtains of the little
bed, the cherry-wood chairs, the table, with its gray marble top,--all
were the perfection of that propriety which gives even to humble things
a look of elegance.

I had but time to make a slight change in my dress when the bell sounded
for dinner, and at the same instant a gen