I might be the vine grower of the proverb, Cui saepe viator Cessisset magna compellans voce cucullum!" The Syndic heard him without changing the attitude of weakness and exhaustion into which he had fallen on sitting down.

But midway in the other's harangue, his lips parted, he held his breath, and in his eyes grew a faint light of dawning hope.

"But if it be not so ?" he muttered feebly.

"If this be not so, why----" "Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!" "Why did you look so startled a moment ago ?" "Why, man?
Because ten pieces of gold are ten pieces! To me at least! And the potion, which was made after a recipe of that same Messer Laurens of Paris, cost no less.

It is a love-philtre, beneficent to the young, but if taken by the old so noxious, that had you swallowed it," with a grin, "you had not been long Syndic, Messer Blondel!" Blondel shook his head.