"Why, will you not give us dinner?" asked the gentleman who had spoken before. "I see a number of people passing us and entering the house. How is that?"
"Sir, they are—that is—I am," stammered the landlord; then suddenly plunging into a desperate resolve, he said, "Are you a father?"
A shade passed over the stranger's face as he replied, "I have been a father. But why such a question?"
"Oh, if you have been a father," answered Etienne, "you will sympathize with me, when I tell you that to-day we christen our first-born child."
"Ah, indeed!" exclaimed the passenger, with a kind smile. "Then these persons are—"
"My guests," interrupted the landlord and postmaster, "and you will know how to excuse me if—"
"If you wish us to the devil," returned the blue-eyed stranger, laughing merrily. "But, indeed, I cannot oblige you my excellent friend, for I don't know where his infernal majesty is to be found; and if I may be allowed a preference, I would rather remain in the society of the two priests whom I see going into your house."
"You will not go farther, then—"
"Oh, no, we ask to be allowed to join your guests, and attend the christening. The baptism of a first-born child is a ceremony which touches my heart, and yours, also, does it not?" said the stranger to his companion.
"Certainly," replied the other, laughing, "above all, when it is joined to another interesting ceremony—that of a good dinner. "