t I lose my son?"

Jean-Marie sobbed bitterly, but without a word.

"I don't like boys who cry," observed Casimir. "This one is always
crying.--Here! you clear out of this for a little; I have business with
your master and mistress, and these domestic feelings may be settled
after I am gone. March!" and he held the door open.

Jean-Marie slunk out, like a detected thief.

By twelve they were all at table but Jean-Marie.

"Hey?" said Casimir. "Gone, you see. Took the hint at once."

"I do not, I confess," said Desprez, "I do not seek to excuse his
absence. It speaks a want of heart that disappoints me sorely."

"Want of manners," corrected Casimir. "Heart he never had. Why, Desprez,
for a clever fellow, you are the most gullible mortal in creation. Your
ignorance of human nature and human business is beyond belief. You are
swindled by heathen Turks, swindled by vagabond children, swindled right
and left, upstairs and downstairs. I think it must be your imagination. I
thank my stars I have none."

"Pardon me," replied Desprez, still humbly, but with a return of spirit
at sight of a distinction to be drawn; "pardon me, Casimir. You possess,
even to an eminent degree, the commercial imagination. It was the lack of
that in me--it appears it is my weak point--that has led to these
repeated shocks. By the commercial imagination the financier forecasts
the destiny of his investments, marks the falling house----"

"Egad," interrupted Casimir: "our friend the stable-boy appears to have
his share of it."

The Doctor was silenced; and the meal was continued and finished
principally to the tune of the brother-in-law's not very consolatory
conversation. He entirely ignored the two young English painters, turning
a blind eyeglass to their salutations, and continuing his remarks as if
he were alone in the bosom of his family; and with every second word he
ripped another stitch out of the air-balloon of Desprez' vanity. By the
time coffee was over the poor Doctor was as limp as a napkin.

"Let us go and see the ruins," said Casimir.

They strolled forth into the street. The fall of the house, like the loss
of a front tooth, had quite transformed the village. Through the gap the
eye commanded a great stretch of open snowy country, and the place shrank
in comparison. It was like a room with an open door. The sentinel stood
by the green gate, looking very red and cold, but he had a pleasant word
for the Doctor and his wealthy