he most alluring infatuation in the world--the love of
nature. Here now in this delightful garden kept up by the superhuman
efforts of a faithful old man, the flame kindled anew.

In an instant H. had discovered the espaliers where _Doyenne du
Cornice_ and _Passe Cressane_ were slowly but surely attaining the
required degree of perfection beneath Pere Francois' attentive care.
As I stood open mouthed in wonder before the largest bush of fuchsias I
had ever yet beheld, an explosion rent the air, quickly followed by a
second, the latter much closer to us.

"Boche bombs! Come quick," said Pere Francois without seeming in the
least ruffled.

Led by the old man we hastened to a tiny grotto, in whose depths we
could hear a fountain bubbling. Legion must have been the loving
couples that have visited this spot in times gone by, for their vows of
fidelity were graven in endearing terms on the stony sides of the
retreat. _Leon et Marguerite pour toujours, Alice et Theodore, Georges
et Germaine_ were scrawled above innumerable arrow-pierced hearts.

"All things considered, I'd rather they'd send us over a shell or two
than bomb us from above!" ejaculated Pere Francois, who spoke from
experience.

"It was one of those hateful things that hit my Japanese pepper tree on
the main lawn, and killed our only cedar. The handsomest specimen we
had here! It makes me sick every time I throw a log of it on to the
fire in the Winter. I can't tell you how queer it makes me feel. Of
course, it's bad enough for them to kill men who are their enemies, but
think of killing trees that it takes hundreds of years to grow. What
good can that do them?"

The Boche deemed at a safe distance, we visited the vegetable garden
where we purchased our melon and were presented with any number of
little packets containing seeds. We protested at the old man's
generosity and sought to remunerate him.

"Nothing of the kind; I wouldn't think of accepting it. It's my
pleasure. Why it's been ages since I had such a talk as this. I'm so
glad you came. So glad for my roses too!" and he started to cut a
splendid bouquet.

"I've been saying to myself every day," he continued, "Isn't it a pity
that nobody should see them? But now I feel satisfied."

At the gateway we held out our hands which he took and shook most
heartily, renewing his protestations of delight at our visit, and
begging us to "Come again soon."

"To be happy one must cultivate h