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76 eyes away from the White House and pray with fervour to be protected from the influence of the Evil Eye.

Ten years had passed away since the White House became the terror of the boatmen and of the neighbouring inhabitants. No one would visit the Evil Eye. He spent his miserable days in silence and solitude.

The following winter proved to be excessively severe. The wolves collected in herds, and maddened with cold and hunger, howled dismally round the house. The master, silent and gloomy, sat before the hearth, on which a large fire was burning, turning over the leaves of a book. The old servant, having fastened the doors, sat on the other side warming himself and repairing a net.

"Stanislas," said the master, "have you caught many fish to-day?"

"Not many, master; but quite enough to serve us two."

"True," said the master sorrowfully, "Although so many years have passed away, we are still but two. Oh, the unhappy hour that gave me birth!"

Suddenly they heard a human voice in the courtyard crying for help. The master started, for it was a long time since he had heard a stranger's voice. Stanislas ran out of the room, followed by his master, who carried a lamp in his hand.