CHAPTER I.
WHEREIN THEY KILL THE FATTED CALF TO CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF A FRUGAL SON.
On the 18th of May, 1859, M.Renault, formerly professor of physics and chemistry, now a landed proprietor at Fontainebleau, and member of the Municipal Council of that charming little city, himself carried to the post-office the following letter:-- "_To Monsieur Leon Renault, Civil Engineer, Berlin, Prussia._ (To be kept at the Post-Office till called for.) "MY DEAR CHILD: "The good news you sent us from St.Petersburg caused us the greatest joy.

Your poor mother had been ailing since winter, but I had not spoken to you about it from fear of making you uneasy while so far from home.

As for myself, I had not been very well; and there was yet a third person (guess the name if you can!) who was languishing from not seeing you.

But content yourself, my dear Leon: we have been recuperating more and more since the time of your return is almost fixed.

We begin to believe that the mines of the Ural will not swallow up that which is dearer to us than all the world.