Do you remember, my friend, the day on which you set out for that long and delightful tour, the preparations for which had so long engrossed your time and attention? I called in the morning, to pass a few minutes with you, as I had been accustomed to do, but not being aware that it was the day fixed on for your departure, I was surprised at the unusual state of your house: everybody appeared nu settled and busy, and the servants were running up and down stairs unceasingly. An elegant travelling carriage, with the horses harnessed, was standing in the court-yard. At the moment I entered, the postilion had already placed one of his huge boots in the stirrup, and one of your servants.