To give a reason for coming up to him, Severne said, “How old are you, old man?”
“I be ninety, measter, next Martinmas-day.”
“Only ninety?” said our Adonis, contemptuously; “you look a hundred and ninety.”
He would have been less contemptuous had he known that the mushrooms were all toad-stools, and the village centenaire was Mr. Joseph Ashmead, resuming his original arts, and playing Grandfather Whitehead on the green grass.
CHAPTER XXV.
MADEMOISELLE KLOSKING told Vizard the time drew near when she must leave his hospitable house.
“Say a month hence,” said he.
She shook her head.
“Of course you will not stay to gratify me,” said he, half sadly, half bitterly. “But you will have to stay a week or two longer par ordonnance du me'decin.”