pleasure of meeting a fellow-countryman in these wilds."

"I suppose not, sir, but I can assure you your pleasure and surprise
is as nothing to mine. You are not only a fellow-countryman but a
friend in need as well."

"My dear sir, I know what it is to run out of spirit. And I suppose
there is no place in the whole of France where you might go farther
without finding any than this very district. You are on pleasure
bent, I presume?"

Merriman shook his head.

"Unfortunately, no," he replied. "I'm travelling for my firm,
Edwards & Merriman, Wine Merchants of London. I'm Merriman, Seymour
Merriman, and I'm going round the exporters with whom we deal."

"A pleasant way to do it, Mr. Merriman. My name is Coburn. You
see I am trying to change the face of the country here?"

"Yes, Miss" - Merriman hesitated for a moment and looked at the
girl - "Miss Coburn told me what you were doing. A splendid
notion, I think."

"Yes, I think we are going to make it pay very well. I suppose
you're not making a long stay?"

"Two days in Bordeaux, sir, then I'm off east to Aviguon."

"Do you know, I rather envy you. One gets tired of these tree