Finally, the business being concluded, they took their departure, and, driving to the Market Place, put up the horse and cart at an old-fashioned, dingy inn, where they took their breakfast in the public room at a table where the wagoners were having a violent quarrel over their meal.

The Duke, however, had other business to transact than the investment of his money, for he wanted to find the whereabouts of a miller who was somewhat in his debt.

Norbert waited for him in front of the inn, and could not help feeling rather uncomfortable at finding himself alone.
All at once some one came up and touched him lightly on the shoulder.

He turned round sharply, and found himself face to face with a young man, who, seeing his look of surprise, said,-- "What! have you entirely forgotten your old friend Montlouis ?" Montlouis was the son of one of the Duke's farmers, and he and Norbert had often played together in past years.

They had driven their cows to the meadows together, and had spent long days together fishing or searching for birds' nests.