"Mademoiselle," I replied, "Monsieur l'Abbe Jerome Coignard is a
very learned man, and he has in addition philosophy and kindness. He
knows the world, and you are quite right in believing him to be a
good counsellor. I regulate myself fully after his advice. But, tell
me, did you see me also, on yonder day, at the lodge, through the
peephole you spoke of?"

"I saw you," she said to me, "and I will not hide from you that I
was pleased. But I must return to my uncle. Good-bye."

The same evening, after supper, M. d'Asterac did not fail to ask me
for news of the Salamander. His curiosity troubled me somewhat. My
answer was that the meeting had surpassed all my expectations, but
that I thought it my duty to confine myself to a discretion due to
such kind of adventures.

"That discretion, my son," he said, "is not of so much use in your
case as you represent. Salamanders do not want their amours to be
kept secret, they are not ashamed of them. One of those nymphs who
loves me does not know of a sweeter pastime than to engrave my
initials enlaced with hers on the bark of trees, as you can see for
yourself by examining the stems of five or six Scotch firs, the
exquisite tops of which you can see from yonder windows. But have
you not, my son, learned that that kind of amour, truly sublime, far
from leaving any fatigue behind, lends to the heart a new vigour? I
am sure that after what passed to-day you'll employ your night in
translating at least sixty pages of Zosimus the Panopolitan."

I confessed that on the contrary I felt very sleepy, which he