And
let me now say that your frank and cordial words touch me deeply, and
find an echo in my inmost heart. I am both proud and happy to call you
my friend--henceforth you will not have one more loyal and devoted than
myself--and though you may not often have need of my services, they will
be, none the less, always at your disposition. Halloa! Pierre! do
you go, without a moment's delay, and hunt up some fowls, eggs, meat,
whatever you can find, and try to serve a substantial meal to this
gentleman, my friend, who is nearly dying with hunger, and is not used
to it like you and I."
Pierre put in his pocket some of the money his master had sent him from
Paris--which he had never touched before--mounted the pony, and galloped
off to the nearest village in search of provisions. He found several
fowls--such as they were--a splendid Bayonne ham, a few bottles of fine
old wine, and by great good luck, discovered, at the priest's house, a
grand big pate of ducks' livers--a delicacy worthy of a bishop's or
a prince's table--and which he had much difficulty to obtain from his
reverence, who was a bit of a gourmand, at an almost fabulous price. But
this was evidently a great occasion, and the faithful old servant would
spare no pains to do it honour.
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