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98
Recollections of
[Ch. X.

he was accommodated, and rather, it may be, hoping to hear him make a comparison in favour of the sweet place he had left for the sterile-looking domain in which his habitation was now placed; and I remember being in a state of ecstacy at the prospect of again beholding my old playmate—the loss of whose society I had so deeply regretted. We found him seated on the steps of his billiard-room, chatting to little Tristram Montholon. The moment he perceived us, he started up and hastened towards us. Running to my mother, he saluted her on each cheek. After which fashion he welcomed my sister; but, as usual with me, he seized me by the ear, and pinching it, exclaimed, "Ah! Mademoiselle Betsee, êtes vous sage, eh, eh?" He then asked us what we thought of his palace, and bidding us follow him, said he would shew us over his ménage. We were first conducted to his bedroom, which was small and cheerless. Instead of paper hangings, its walls

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