on the way, st.aubert asked his companion what success he had had in the chase.'not much, sir,' he replied, 'nor do i aim at it.i am pleased with the country, and mean to saunter away a few weeks among its scenes.my dogs i take with me more for companionship than for game.this dress, too, gives me an ostensible business, and procures me that respect from the people, which would, perhaps, be refused to a lonely stranger, who had no visible motive for coming among them.'
'i admire your taste,' said st.aubert, 'and, if i was a younger man, should like to pass a few weeks in your way exceedingly.i, too, am a wanderer, but neither my plan nor pursuits are exactly like yours--i go in search of health, as much as of amusement.' st.aubert sighed, and paused; and then, seeming to recollect himself, he resumed: 'if i can hear of a tolerable road, that shall afford decent accommodation, it is my intention to pass into rousillon, and along the sea-shore to languedoc.you, sir, seem to be acquainted with the country, and can, perhaps, give me information on the subject.'
the stranger said, that what information he could give was entirely at his service; and then mentioned a road rather more to the east, which led to a town, whence it would be easy to proceed into rousillon.
they now arrived at the village, and commenced their search for a cottage, that would afford a night's lodging.in several, which they entered, ignorance, poverty, and mirth seemed equally to prevail; and the owners eyed st.aubert with a mixture of curiosity and timidity.