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The Ink Stain Rene Bazin 7500K 2023-09-02

Yesterday, for instance, he whispered to me: "I have come down the Rue de l'Universite They will soon be back"

"How did you learn that?"

"I saw acoals into the house, and asked for whoain, we had a talk, just nohich shohat progress I have made in the old clerk's heart He had just subruntedfurther, Monsieur Jupille?"

"So to ask of you--to do me a kindness, or, rather, an honor"

"Let's hear what it is"

"This weather, Monsieur Mouillard, is very good for fishing, though rather warm"

"Rather warm, Monsieur Jupille!"

"It is not too warm It was much hotter than this in 1844, yet the fish bit, I can tell you! Will you join us next Sunday in a fishing expedition? I say 'us,' because one of your friends is coreat amateur of the rod who honors me with his friendship, too"

"Who is he?"

"A secret, Monsieur Mouillard, a little secret You will be surprised It is settled then--next Sunday?"

"Where shall IThat boy is too sharp; I'll tell you some other time"

"As you please, Monsieur Jupille; I accept the invitation unconditionally"

"I alad you will come, Monsieur Mouillard I only e could have a little storm between this and then"

He spoke the truth; his satisfaction was manifest, for I never have seen him rub the tip of his nose with the feathers of his quill pen so often as he did that afternoon, which ith hi subdued the since to the limits of his desk

July 20th

I have seen Lampron once more He bears his sorrow bravely We spoke for a few moments of his ood she had done e upon her virtues

"Ah," he said, "if you had only seen more of her! My dear fellow, if I ah the trials of my life and my profession; if I have placed my ideal beyond worldly success; in a word, if I a in heart or brain, it is to her I owe it We never had been parted before; this is our first separation, and it is the final one I was not prepared for it"