landlord to come in with his bill.

C'est un garcon de bonne fortune, said the landlord, pointing
through the window to half a dozen wenches who had got round about
La Fleur, and were most kindly taking their leave of him, as the
postilion was leading out the horses. La Fleur kissed all their
hands round and round again, and thrice he wiped his eyes, and
thrice he promised he would bring them all pardons from Rome.

- The young fellow, said the landlord, is beloved by all the town,
and there is scarce a corner in Montreuil where the want of him
will not be felt: he has but one misfortune in the world,
continued he, "he is always in love."--I am heartily glad of it,
said I,--'twill save me the trouble every night of putting my
breeches under my head. In saying this, I was making not so much
La Fleur's eloge as my own, having been in love with one princess
or another almost all my life, and I hope I shall go on so till I
die, being firmly persuaded, that if ever I do a mean action, it
must be in some interval betwixt one passion and another: whilst
this interregnum lasts, I always perceive my heart locked up,--I
can scarce find in it to give Misery a sixpence; and therefore I
always get out of it as fast as I can--and the moment I am
rekindled, I am all generosity and good-will again; and would do
anything in the world, either for or with any one, if they will but
satisfy me there is no sin in it.

- But in saying this,--sure I am commanding the passion,--not
myself.