"I am waiting for the conclusion," said Carolus, whose intelligence began to be a little shaky. "The conclusion--yes, that is the end of the argument, as death is the end of life, and marriage of love. Well, my dear sir, I and my friends are accustomed to live together, and we fear to impair, by the introduction of another person, the harmony which reigns in our habits, opinions, tastes, and dispositions. To speak frankly, we are going to be, some day, the four cardinal points of contemporary art; accustomed to this idea, it would annoy us to see a fifth point." "Nevertheless," suggested Carolus, "where you are four it is easy to be five." "Yes, but then we cease to be four." "The objection is a trivial one." "There is nothing trivial in this world; little brooks make great rivers; little syllables make big verses; the very mountains are made of grains of sand--so says 'The Wisdom of Nations,' of which there is a copy on the quay--tell me, my dear sir, which is the furrow that you usually follow in the noble fields of intelligence?" "The great philosophers and the classic authors are my models. I live upon their study. 'Telemachus' first inspired the consuming passion I feel." "'Telemachus'--there are lots of him on the quay," said Colline. "You can find him there at any time. I have bought him for five sous--a second-hand copy--I would consent to part with it to oblige you. In other respects, it is a great work; very well got up, considering the age." "Yes, sir," said Carolus. "I aspire to high philosophy and sound literature. According to my idea, art is a priesthood--." "Yes, yes," said Colline. "There's a song about that too," and he began to hum.... "Art's a priesthood, art's a priesthood," to the air of the drinking song in "Robert the Devil." "I say, then, that art being a solemn mission, writers ought, above all things--" "Excuse me," said Colline, who heard one of the small hours striking, "but it's getting to be tomorrow morning very fast." "It is late, in fact," said Carolus. "Let us go." "Do you live far off?" "Rue Royale St. Honore, No. 10." Colline had once had occasion to visit this house, and remembered that it was a splendid private mansion. "I will mention you to my friends," said he to Carolus on parting, "and you may be sure that I shall use all my influence to make them favorably disposed to you. Ah, let me give you one piece of advice." "Go on," said the other. "Be very amiable and polite to Mademoiselles Mimi, Musette and Phemie; these ladies exercise an authority over my friends, and by managing to bring their mistresses' influence to bear upon them you will contrive far more easily to obtain what you require from Marcel, Schaunard and Rodolphe." "I'll try," said Carolus. Next day, Colline tumbled in upon the Bohemian association. It was the hour of breakfast, and for a wonder, breakfast had come with the hour. The three couples were at table, feasting on artichokes and pepper sauce.