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municating with the fibres of memory； which in spite of us will arouse them at times； this thread； like that of Ariadne； when once unraveled will conduct one through a labyrinth of thought； in which one loses one's self in endeavoring to follow that phantom of the past which is called recollection。
Now the sight of this chateau had taken Raoul back fifty leagues westward and had caused him to review his life from the moment when he had taken leave of little Louise to that in which he had seen her for the first time； and every branch of oak； every gilded weathercock on roof of slates； reminded him that； instead of returning to the friends of his childhood； every instant estranged him further and that perhaps he had even left them forever。
With a full heart and burning head he desired Olivain to lead on the horses to a wayside inn； which he observed within gunshot range； a little in advance of the place they had reached。
As for himself； he dismounted and remained under a beautiful group of chestnuts in flower； amidst which were murmuring a multitude of happy bees； and bade Olivain send the host to him with writing paper and ink； to be placed on a table which he found there； conveniently ready。 Olivain obeyed and continued on his way； whilst Raoul remained sitting； with his elbow leaning on the table； from time to time gently shaking the flowers from his head； which fell upon him like snow； and gazing vaguely on the charming landscape spread out before him； dotted over with green fields and groups of trees。 Raoul had been there about ten minutes； during five of which he was lost in reverie； when there appeared within the circle prised in his rolling gaze a man with a rubicund face； who； with a napkin around his body； another under his arm； and a white cap upon his head； approached him； holding paper； pen and ink in hand。
〃Ha！ ha！〃 laughed the apparition； 〃every gentleman seems to have the same fancy； for not a quarter of an hour ago a young lad； well mounted like you； as tall as you and of about your age； halted before this clump of trees and had this table and this chair brought here； and dined here； with an old gentleman who seemed to be his tutor； upon a pie； of which they haven't left a mouthful； and two bottles of Macon wine； of which they haven't left a drop； but fortunately we have still some of the same wine and some of the same pies left； and if your worship will but give your orders 〃
〃No； friend 〃 replied Raoul； smiling； 〃I am obliged to you； but at this moment I want nothing but the things for which I have asked only I shall be very glad if the ink prove black and the pen good； upon these conditions I will pay for the pen the price of the bottle； and for the ink the price of the pie。〃
〃Very well； sir；〃 said the host； 〃I'll give the pie and the bottle of wine to your servant； and in this way you will have the pen and ink into the bargain。〃
〃Do as you like；〃 said Raoul； who was beginning his apprenticeship with that particular class of society； who； when there were robbers on the highroads； were connected with them； and who； since highwaymen no longer exist； have advantageously and aptly filled their vacant place。
The host； his mind at ease about his bill； placed pen； ink and paper upon the table。 By a lucky chance the pen was tolerably good and Raoul began to write。 The host remained standing in front of him； looking with a kind of involuntary admiration at his handsome face； bining both gravity and sweetness of expression。 Beauty has always been and always will be all…powerful。
〃He's not a guest like the other one here just now；〃 observed mine host to Olivain； who had rejoined his master to see if he wanted anything； 〃and your young master has no appetite。〃
〃My master had appetite enough three days ago； but what can one do？ he lost it the day before yesterday。〃
And Olivain and the host took their way together toward the inn； Olivain； according to the custom of serving…men well pleased with their place； relating to the tavern…keeper all that he could say in favor of the young gentleman； whilst Raoul wrote on thus：
〃Sir； After a four hours' march I stop to write to you； for I miss you every moment； and I am always on the point of turning my head as if to reply when you speak to me。 I was so bewildered by your departure and so overe with grief at our separation； that I am sure I was able to but very feebly express all the affection and gratitude I feel toward you。 You will forgive me； sir； for your heart is of such a generous nature that you can well understand all that has passed in mine。 I entreat you to write to me； for you form a part of my existence； and； if I may venture to tell you so； I also feel anxious。 It seemed to me as if you were yourself preparing for some dangerous undertaking； about which I did not dare to question you； since you told me nothing。 I have； therefore； as you see； great need of hearing from you。 Now that you are no longer beside me I am afraid every moment of erring。 You sustained me powerfully； sir； and I protest to you that to…day I feel very lonely。 Will you have the goodness； sir； should you receive news from Blois； to send me a few lines about my little friend Mademoiselle de la Valliere； about whose health； when we left； so much anxiety was felt？ You can understand； honored and dear guardian； how precious and indispensable to me is the remembrance of the years that I have passed with you。 I hope that you will sometimes； too； think of me； and if at certain hours you should miss me； if you should feel any slight regret at my absence； I shall be overwhelmed with joy at the thought that you appreciate my affection for and my devotion to yourself； and that I have been able to prove them to you whilst I had the happiness of diving with you。〃
After finishing this letter Raoul felt more posed； he looked well around him to see if Olivain and the host might not be watching him； whilst he impressed a kiss upon the paper； a mute and touching caress； which the heart of Athos might well divine on opening the letter。
During this time Olivain had finished his bottle and eaten his pie； the horses were also refreshed。 Raoul motione