Page:Reminisences of Captain Gronow.djvu/228

206 he appeared again before his confessor, apparently much elated, and invited the worthy abbé to dine with him at the Rocher du Cancalle. This invitation was gladly accepted, the holy father not doubting but that he should have all the delicacies in the land; to which, in common with the rest of the clergy, he had no objection: nor was he disappointed. The dinner was recherché; the best the establishment could furnish was placed before them, and most heartily and lovingly did the worthy abbé devote himself to what was offered. At the end of the repast the carte à payer was duly furnished; but what was the astonishment of the reverend guest when Talbot declared that his purse was completely au sec, and that it had been a long time empty, but that upon this occasion, as upon all others, he trusted, as the abbé had advised him, in Providence.

The Abbé Pecheron, recovering from his surprise, and being of a kind and generous disposition, laughed heartily at Talbot's impudence, and feeling that he had deserved this rebuke, he pulled out his purse, paid for the dinner, and did what he should have done at first—wrote to the members of Talbot's family, and obtained for