The horse, except for a short stop at Saint-Cyr-sur-Menthon, did the twenty-eight or thirty miles between Bourg and Macon, without resting, in three hours.
Arrived at Macon, Montbar dismounted at the Hotel de la Poste, the only one which at that time was fitted to receive guests of distinction.

For the rest, from the manner in which Montbar was received it was evident that the host was dealing with an old acquaintance.
"Ah! is it you, Monsieur de Jayat ?" said the host.

"We were wondering yesterday what had become of you.

It's more than a month since we've seen you in these parts." "Do you think it's as long as that, friend ?" said the young man, affecting to drop his r's after the fashion of the day.

"Yes, on my honor, that's so! I've been with friends, the Trefforts and the Hautecourts.