Valenglard came to wish me a prosperous journey; he himself was obliged
to go with M. Monteinard. He begged me to correspond constantly with him,
and I had been intending to prefer the same request, as I took too great
an interest in the fair Mdlle. Roman not to wish to hear of her fate, and
the correspondence the worthy officer desired was the best way possible
for me to hear about her. As will be imagined, I promised what he asked
without making any difficulty. He shed tears as he embraced me, and I
promised to be his friend.




CHAPTER II

My Departure from Grenoble--Avignon--The Fountain of Vaucluse--The False
Astrodi and the Humpback--Gaetan Costa--I Arrive at Marseilles

While the three girls were helping Le Duc to pack my mails my landlord
entered, gave me his bill, and finding everything correct I paid him,
much to his satisfaction. I owed him a compliment, too, at which he
seemed extremely gratified.

"Sir," said I, "I do not wish to leave your house without having the
pleasure of dining with your charming girls, to shew them how I
appreciate the care they have taken of me. Let me have, then, a delicate
repast for four, and also order post horses, that I may start in the
evening."

"Sir," broke in Le Duc, "I entreat you to order a saddle-horse besides; I