The resemblance is striking; pay attention!" Depositing his cup on the table he took the book in his right hand, and placing the forefinger of his left by turns on his lips or complacently following with it the lines of especial beauty in the text, he exclaimed: "Now what do you say to this?
'Thy soul is wise,' wrote Horace to Lollius, 'and resists with the same constancy the temptations of happiness as those of adversity--_est animus tibi et secundis temporibus dubusque rectus_.' Is not this Count Larinski?
Listen further: 'Lollius detested fraud and cupidity; he despised money which seduces most men--_abstinens ducentis ad se cuncta pecuniae_.' This trait is very striking; I find even, between ourselves, that our dear count despises money entirely too much, he turns from it in horror, its very name is odious to him; he is an Epictetus, he is a Diogenes, he is an anchorite of ancient times who would live happily in a Thebaid.

He told us himself that it made little difference to him whether he dined on a piece of bread and a glass of water, or in luxury at the Cafe Anglais.

But I have not finished.

'Happy be those,' exclaimed Horace, 'who know how to suffer uncomplainingly the hardships of poverty--_qui duram que callet pauperiem pati_!' Of whom does he speak--of Lollius, or of our friend, who not only endures his poverty but who loves it, cherishes it as a lover adores his mistress?
And the final trait, what to you think of it?
Lollius was always ready to die for his country--'_non ille pro patria timidus perire_.' In good faith, is it not curious?
Does it not seem as though Horace had known Count Larinski at Rome or at Tibur ?" "I do not doubt it for an instant," replied M.Moriaz, taking the book from the hands of Abbe Miollens and placing it respectfully on the table.

"Luckily, our friend Larinski, as you call him, fell upon the excellent idea of resuscitating himself some thirty years ago, which procured for us the great joy of meeting him at Saint Moritz; and while we are on the subject--My dear abbe, have you a free, impartial mind?
Can you listen to me?
I have a question to propound, an elucidation to demand.