"Oh no; my people are coming after me. And you?"
"Oh, as to me it is different; I am nearly on my estate here."
"Indeed?"
"Ma foi, yes; only, you must understand, I do not intend to live forever in this country; if you like, I shall be happy to invite you to my house, from, which we are only about twenty miles distant."
"What! Your house? You have a house here?"
"Mon Dieu! Yes; it is necessary to come here to America to accomplish that miracle of becoming landowner. That is a good joke, is it not?" said he, laughing. "What do you say to my proposition? Does it please you?"
The other hesitated a moment.
"Decide, sir; chance, or, if you prefer it, Providence, which has brought us together so strangely, has perhaps some unknown plans concerning us. Do not let us oppose it."
"Why joke on this subject. M. Gagnepain?" asked the other; "Although you are an artist, and consequently a man of strong mind, what you say is more true than you doubtless wish to avow."
"Pardon; I had forgotten that you were an Oratorian. Well, will you retrace your route?"