The man in black said that he was not an apothecary.

“What then are you?” said the general.

“Sir, I am a pharmaceutist.”

“Well,” said the general, “your boy—­”

“Sir, I have no boy.”

“Who then was the young man you sent thither?”

“My pupil—­”

“I wish to say, sir, that your drugs—­”

“Sir, I do not sell drugs—­”

“What then do you sell?”

“Remedies.”

The general at once became ashamed at having committed so many solicisms in a few moments, and paid the bill.

IV.

The Snare.

The chevalier de Langeac was rich, but his fortune was dispensed as is the fortune of all rich men.

He funded the remnants, and aided by a little pension from the government, he contrived to lead a very pleasant life.

Though naturally very gallant, he had nothing to do with women.

As his other powers passed away, his gourmandise increased.  He became a professor and received more invitations than he could accept.

Lyons is a pleasant city, for there one can get vin de Bourdeaux, Hermitage and Burgundy.  The game of the neighborhood is very good, and unexceptionable fish is taken from the lakes in the vicinity.  Every body loves Bresse chickens.

Langeac was therefore welcome at all the best tables of the city, but took especial delight in that of a certain M. A.

In the winter of 1780, the chevalier received a letter, inviting him to sup ten days after date, (at that time I know there were suppers) and the chevalier quivered with emotion at the idea.

He, at the appointed time, made his appearance, and found ten guests.  There was at that time no such A grand dinner was soon served, consisting of fish, flesh, and fowl.

All was very good, but the chevalier was not satisfied with the hopes he had entertained.

Another thing amazed him.  His guests did not seem to eat.  The chevalier was amazed to see that so many anti-convivial persons had been collected, and thinking that he had to do justice to all these fasting people set to work at once.

The second service was solid as the first.  A huge turkey was dressed plain, flavored by salads and macaroni au parmesan.

When he saw this, the chevalier felt his strength revive; all the other guests were overpowered, excited by the changes of wines, he triumphed over their impotence, and drank their health again and again.  Every time he drank their health, he took a slice from the turkey.

Due attention was paid to the side-dishes, and the chevalier stuck to business longer than any one would have thought possible.  He only revived when the becfigues appeared, and became fully aroused when truffles were put on the table.

The turbot.

Discord one day sought to effect an entrance into one of the most harmonious houses of Paris.  A turbot was to be cooked.