for me to go without any food for a year or longer because of a
certain elixir the composition of which is known only to the
philosophical. This faculty is not confined to myself alone, it is
the common property of all wise men, and it is known that the
illustrious Cardan went without food during several years without
being incommoded by it. On the contrary his mind became singularly
vivacious. But still I'll eat what it pleases you to offer me,
simply to please you."

And he took a seat at our little table without any ceremony. At once
Friar Ange also noiselessly pushed his stool between mine and that
of my teacher and sat on it to receive his portion of the partridge
pie my mother was dishing up.

The philosopher having thrown his cape over the back of his seat, we
could see that he wore diamond buttons on his coat. He remained
thoughtful. The shadow of his nose fell on his mouth and his hollow
cheeks went deep into his jaws. His gloomy humour took possession of
the whole company. No other noise was audible but the one made by
the little friar munching his pie.

Suddenly the philosopher said:

"The more I think it over, the more I am convinced that yonder
Salamander came for this lad." And he pointed his knife at me.

"Sir," I replied, "if the Salamanders are really as you say, this
one honours me very much, and I am truly obliged to her. But, to say
the truth, I have rather guessed than seen her, and this first
encounter has only awakened my curiosity without giving me full