Carolus then went to find his pupil and announced to him that he had just been elected into a distinguished society of literary men and artists, and that he was going to give a dinner, followed by a little party, to celebrate his admission. He therefore proposed to him to make him one of the guests. "And since you cannot be out late," added Carolus, "and the entertainment may last some time, it will be for our convenience to have it here. Your servant François knows how to hold his tongue; your parents will know nothing of it; and you will have made acquaintance with some of the cleverest people in Paris, artists and authors." "In print?" asked the youth. "Certainly, one of them edits 'The Scarf of Iris,' which your mother takes in. They are very distinguished persons, almost celebrities, intimate friends of mine, and their wives are charming." "Will there be some women?" asked Viscount Paul. "Delightful ones," returned Carolus. "Oh, dear master, I thank you. The entertainment shall certainly take place here. All the lustres shall be lit up, and I will have the wrappers taken off the furniture." That night at the cafe, Barbemuche announced that the party would come off next Saturday. The Bohemians told their mistresses to think about their toilettes. "Do not forget," said they, "that we are going into the real drawing rooms. Therefore, make ready; a rich but simple costume." And from that day all the neighborhood was informed that Mademoiselles Phemie, Mimi, and Musette were going into society. On the morning of the festivity, Colline, Schaunard, Marcel, and Rodolphe called, in a body, on Barbemuche, who looked astonished to see them so early. "Has anything happened which will oblige us to put it off?" he asked with some anxiety. "Yes--that is, no," said Colline. "This is how we are placed. Among ourselves we never stand on ceremony, but when we are to meet strangers, we wish to preserve a certain decorum." "Well?" said the other. "Well," continued Colline, "since we are to meet tonight, the young gentleman to whom we are indebted for the rooms, out of respect to him and to ourselves, we come simply to ask you if you cannot lend us some becoming toggery. It is almost impossible, you see, for us to enter this gorgeous roof in frock-coats and colored trousers." "But," said Carolus, "I have not black clothes for all of you." "We will make do with what you have," said Colline. "Suit yourselves then," said Carolus, opening a well-furnished wardrobe. "What an arsenal of elegancies!" said Marcel. "Three hats!" exclaimed Schaunard, in ecstasy. "Can a man want three hats when he had but one head?" "And the boots!" said Rodolphe, "only look!" "What a number of boots!" howled Colline. In a twinkling of an eye each had selected a complete equipment. "Till this evening," said they, taking leave of Barbemuche. "The ladies intend to be most dazzling."