a philosophical noble. A singular coincidence! the prince had spent
three years in Tarascon; and as Tartarin showed amazement at
never having met him at the club or on the esplanade, His Highness
evasively remarked that he never went about. Through delicacy, the
Tarasconian did not dare to question further. All great existences
have such mysterious nooks.

To sum up, this Signor Gregory was a very genial aristocrat.
Whilst sipping the rosy Crescia juice he patiently listened to
Tartarin's expatiating on his lovely Moor, and he even promised to
find her speedily, as he had full knowledge of the native ladies.

They drank hard and lengthily in toasts to "The ladies of Algiers"
and "The freedom of Montenegro!"

Outside, upon the terrace, heaved the sea, and its rollers slapped
the strand in the darkness with much the sound of wet sails
flapping. The air was warm, and the sky full of stars.

In the plane-trees a nightingale was piping.

It was Tartarin who paid the piper.



X.
"Tell me your father's name, and I will tell you the name
of that flower."