Already, however, a few pretty houses, with green lawns in front, peeped out from the bushes of lilac and clematis.
Before the green railings of one of these a gentleman played hoop with a very young, blond-haired child.

His age belonged in that uncertain area which may range from twenty-five to forty.

He wore a white cravat, spotless as snow; and two triangles of short, thick beard, cut like the boxwood at Versailles, ornamented his cheeks.

If Camors saw this personage he did not honor him with the slightest notice.

He was, notwithstanding, his former comrade Lescande, who had been lost sight of for several years by his warmest college friend.