It is my misfortune that I cannot rise to receive you.

I trust you have been reasonably well entertained ?' '_Monsieur mon oncle_,' I said, bowing very low, 'I am come at the summons of the head of my family.' 'It is well,' he said.

'Be seated.

I should be glad to hear some news--if that can be called news that is already twenty years old--of how I have the pleasure to see you here.' By the coldness of his address, not more than by the nature of the times that he bade me recall, I was plunged in melancholy.

I felt myself surrounded as with deserts of friendlessness, and the delight of my welcome was turned to ashes in my mouth.
'That is soon told, _monseigneur_,' said I.