"Surely I can. I am turning over one of my mistresses to Tobie, messieurs,--assuming, of course, that she is willing to accept him as a substitute." "You can't be certain of that," laughed Mouillot; "for he hasn't the figure." "Do you say you've been drawn in the conscription?" inquired Balivan, who had not heard the beginning of the conversation. "No, no; I have bought a substitute.--Come, Albert, write my letter; for I am afraid we shall hardly be in the mood for writing after dinner." "I am sending Tobie to an assignation in my place," said Albert, "and I am going to give him a letter of introduction." "Well, you can write your letter while I am writing the order for dinner. It will give you inspiration. Here come the writing materials." Albert sat down opposite Mouillot, each of them took a pen; and while one sought words to write to his mistress, the other looked over the bill of fare. Albert began, reading aloud as he wrote: "Charming creature!" Mouillot in like manner announced each dish that he selected. "_Potage aux bistres._" "You know how dearly I love you." "For three--that will be enough." "Your image is always before me." "Calf's head _en tortue_." "When I see you, I instantly become----" "_Andouillette de Troyes._" "Drunk with joy." "With salmon." "But I am detained at this moment by urgent business, dear heart." "Truffled turkey." "To save you the annoyance of waiting for me at our rendezvous----" "Lobster----" "I send one of my intimate friends." "As fresh as possible." "You can trust him absolutely." "If it smells, we shall send it back." "He will escort you to a place we have agreed on----" "Asparagus----" "And will stay with you till I come." "With white sauce." "I will join you as soon as I possibly can." "Sweets, dessert, champagne." "I send you by him a thousand assurances of my love." "Serve everything hot." "With such a letter of recommendation, it seems to me that you ought to receive a warm welcome," said Albert, as he signed his name. "I call that a well-diversified little dinner, messieurs," said Mouillot, handing the order to the waiter. As for Tobie, he thanked Albert and carefully pocketed the missive that was to open the way for him to a piquant intrigue. "Above all things, serve the dinner promptly, and without interruption," he called to the waiter. "Mon Dieu! why are we in such a hurry?" said the artist, who had already seated himself at the table and was blowing his nose in his napkin, which he mistook for his handkerchief. "For my part, I like to sit a long while at dinner." "So do I; but I have an assignation for this evening." "Well, upon my word! there's Balivan using his napkin for a handkerchief! That's the beginning of his freaks. We shall see some amusing sights, if he goes on."