The landlord deliver'd this in a manner which instantly set my mind
to the business I was upon;--and La Fleur, who stood waiting
without, in that breathless expectation which every son of nature
of us have felt in our turns, came in.


MONTREUIL.


I am apt to be taken with all kinds of people at first sight; but
never more so than when a poor devil comes to offer his service to
so poor a devil as myself; and as I know this weakness, I always
suffer my judgment to draw back something on that very account,--
and this more or less, according to the mood I am in, and the
case;--and I may add, the gender too, of the person I am to govern.

When La Fleur entered the room, after every discount I could make
for my soul, the genuine look and air of the fellow determined the
matter at once in his favour; so I hired him first,--and then began
to enquire what he could do: But I shall find out his talents,
quoth I, as I want them,--besides, a Frenchman can do every thing.

Now poor La Fleur could do nothing in the world but beat a drum,
and play a march or two upon the fife. I was determined to make
his talents do; and can't say my weakness was ever so insulted by
my wisdom as in the attempt.

La Fleur had set out early in life, as gallantly as most Frenchmen
do, with SERVING for a few years; at the end of which, having