les faits et gestes, the performances. Lit., 'the deeds

and exploits.' This is the only expression in which

the old Word geste {chanson de geste) is kept in modem

Fftge. Line.

Freach. It is derived from tbe Latin neuter pi. gesta, * things done/ ' exploits/ which became a singular fem. in the Old French. It is also interesting to note the same origin for our English 'jest.'

117. — 28. presque du soir au matin, cdmod hetween two days. 31. en attendant qu'il ait trouvé, until he has found. For the subjunctive aifj see Less. 56, 3, and note the translation by the indicative in English.

33. tout en écoutant, while listening ; more lit., * ail the time listening.' Compare 32-22.

118.— 2. qui aimait qu'on lui fît la lecture, who hmd to hâve 8ome <me read to her. For the subjunctive /î<, see Less. 55, xviii. (b).

7. quelle bonne chance j'ai eue, what good Ivck I hâve had. Note the fem. form eue, the object, chaiwe, preceding the verb.

22. il ne nous faut pas grand'chose, we do rwt n^ed miich. In early French, adjectives derived from Latin adjectives of only two termi nations (grwndù-e) had the same form for mas. and fem., the neuter being lost. The présent practice of indicating the supposed dropping of the vowel e, arose from the mistaken idea that an e was formerly pronounced and written, which was never the case in thèse expressions, (grand' chose, grand'mère, grand'peine, grand'peur, grand'pitié, etc.). In such cases, the d of grœnd is silent.

27. au-devant de son fils, to trueet her son. This form, lit., 'into the présence of,' is the regular form for ' to meet.'