"Come inside, come inside! Take your choice; there is enough here to suit all tastes.

See now, what would you?
Behold here the dress of a gentleman, ah! what beautiful cloth, what strong wool! English make?
Yes, yes! He was English that wore it; a big, strong milord, that drank beer and brandy like water--and rich--just heaven!--how rich! But the plague took him; he died cursing God, and calling bravely for more brandy.

Ha, ha! a fine death--a splendid death! His landlord sold me his clothes for three francs--one, two, three--but you must give me six; that is fair profit, is it not?
And I am old and poor.

I must make something to live upon." I threw aside the tweed suit he displayed for my inspection.

"Nay," I said, "I care nothing for the plague, but find me something better than the cast-off clothing of a brandy-soaked Englishman.