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42 We now rose from the table, and very soon afterwards Ilaclatella went away to the city, leaving me again alone with Louva, who invited me to join a small fishing party she had arranged. I of course consented, for I knew that I should be quite at home at the fishing. The house was situated on a headland, with steps leading from the portico to the water’s edge; so we got into the boat without any inconvenience. There were only two others going with us—a young lady and a man named Fontin, who appeared to be slightly older than myself. There were hooks, lines, and bait for the fish, and luncheon for ourselves in the boat.

The scenery was superb, and we pulled in the direction of a small island, where Louva said there were good fishing grounds. Getting the lines fitted up for Louva and myself was the work of a very brief time, for I was ambitious to catch the first fish, and I believe that Fontin also harboured that desire. We now let the boat drifts and threw our lines into the water nearly together. I however, got the first bite, and after some little tugging, landed in the boat a fine plump fish, striped with red and gold. They called it a lomdin, and appeared to prize it much. It seems, however, that it possessed a certain peculiarity of which I