And we drove in silence into Avranches.
When there before with Gustave, I had put up at a small inn at the foot of the hill.

Now I drove up to the summit and stopped before the principal hotel.

A waiter ran out, cast a curious glance at my conveyance, and lifted my luggage down.
"Let me know if you get into any trouble for being late," said I to Jean, giving him another five francs.
He nodded and drove off, still chewing the stump of his cheroot.
"Can I have a room ?" I asked, turning to the waiter.
"Certainly, sir," said he, catching up my bag in his hand.
"I am just come," said I, "from Mont St.Michel." A curious expression spread over the waiter's face.

I fancy he knew old Jean and the cart by sight; but he spread out his hands and smiled.
"Monsieur," said he with the incomparable courtesy of the French nation, "has come from wherever monsieur pleases." "That," said I, giving him a trifle, "is an excellent understanding." Then I walked into the _salle--manger_, and almost into the arms of an extraordinarily handsome girl who was standing just inside the door.
"This is really an eventful day," I thought to myself..