We all rose to shake hands with our host. I observed then that Dumouton took the longest road, for he made the circuit of the table. But he had long had his eye on some superb pears which had not been touched; and, as he passed them, he seized two, which he succeeded, not without difficulty, in stuffing into his pockets, thereby producing the effect of two miniature balloons on his hips; and as they raised the skirts of his coat, they disclosed the fact that the seat of his trousers was of a different color from the front. We said good-night, took our hats, and prepared to leave the restaurant. But the music was still in progress, playing a captivating waltz, which was like an invitation to ask a lady to dance. IX THE WEDDING PARTY IN THE FRONT ROOMS Balloquet and I were the last to leave the room in which we had dined; and, as we took our hats, we glanced at each other, beating time to the music, and I verily believe we were on the point of waltzing together, when the strains of a polka, nearer at hand, chimed in discordantly with the other music. "Oho! there are several balls here, are there?" Balloquet asked a waiter, who was looking at us and smiling. "Yes, messieurs; there are two wedding parties: one right below us, on the first floor, and another on the same floor, but in the salons at the rear." "Ah! so there's a wedding going on in the rear, too?" "To be sure, monsieur." "What time is it now?" "Half-past eleven, monsieur." "The wedding parties should be at their height. Are there many guests?" "A great many, monsieur. They are hardly able to dance, they're so crowded." "Which is the more brilliant party?" "They're both pretty fine, monsieur. But the one in front rather beats the other. It's a sweller affair." "I understand. The one in the rear is more free and easy. They're probably dancing the cancan there. Sapristi! and it's only midnight! The idea of going to bed, when other people are going to pass the night enjoying themselves! when you can hear a lusty orchestra playing tunes that make your legs itch! Do you like the idea, Rochebrune? Don't you feel tempted, as I do, to go to one of these balls downstairs, where they're tripping the light fantastic?" "I do, indeed! I would go with all my heart. This music makes me dance all over." "Do you want to bet that I won't go to one of these balls?" "Do you mean it? You would have the face to do it, when you don't know anyone?" "Why not? I'll show you what a simple thing it would be. There are two balls. I go to one. If by chance some ill-bred wight sees fit to ask me who I am, whom I know, why, I have my answer all pat: 'I was invited to the other party, on the same floor; I made a mistake, that's all.'" "Upon my word, that would be an excuse. You make me want to do the same thing."