“Well met!” said the chevalier de Vaumond, to his friend, Gautier Gerard, as the two young men encountered each other in one of the principal streets of Perpignan, on a certain fine summer morning. “And pray whither may you be bound, my good fellow? On some scheme of pleasure, I trust. Do, for once in a way, consent to omit attendance upon that very worthy, but unquestionably prosy Professor of yours, and leave him to lecture to the few steady stolidities, your brother-students, who may be absurd enough to hold it their duty not to play truant, when such a morning as this bids them keep outside of College walls.”

Gerard answered with a smile.

“You will not call it a scheme of pleasure, perhaps, de Vaumond. Your taste has no relish for rural enjoyment. For my part, I long for a pure breeze, a stout walk, the broad expanse of sky, and the open honest face of Nature. I have been studying hard; and had determined to give myself a holiday this morning; and so took my way forth early, resolved not to set foot again within the gates of Perpignan, for many a pleasant hour of freedom, fresh air, and exercise.”