I then was the chief of a troop of amateur musicians All of whom were young and healthy.
"Monsieur," said the abbe of Saint Sulpice to me one day, and he drew me into a window recess, "you would enjoy yourself very much if you come some day to play for us at Saint Bernard's. The Saints would be delighted."
I accepted the offer at once, for it seemed to promise us an agreeable evening. I nodded assent, and all were amazed.
Annuit, et totum nutu tremefecit olympum.
Every precaution had previously been taken, for we had yet to go four leagues, a distance sufficient to terrify the persons who had ascended Mont Martre.
The monastery was in a valley, enclosed on the west side by a mountain, and on the east by a hill that was not so high.
The eastern peak was crowned by a forest of immense pines. The valley was one vast prairie, and the beech grows much like the arrangements of an English garden.
We came about evenfall, and were received by the cellarer who had a nose very rich-like an obelisk.
"Gentlemen," said he, "our abbe will be glad when he hears you have come. He is yet in bed; but come with me, and you will see whether we have expected you or not."
We followed him, and besought him to take us to the refectory.