"I did two errands for monsieur; I went first to the Temple, and----" "Well, well, all right! here--for God's sake, don't whine!" Tobie reluctantly took four sous more from his pocket and gave them to Paul, then ran quickly up the stairs; while the young messenger, evidently confused and humiliated by the way in which he had been treated, walked slowly away from the Maison-Dorée. Tobie instantly resumed his seat at the table, and, to make up for lost time, stuffed himself with biscuit, fruit, preserves and confections; but, although he did full honor to the dessert, his face, when he rejoined his friends, was very far from expressing the lively satisfaction depicted on Albert's and Célestin's after their interviews with their respective messengers. "This time," said Mouillot, "I fancy that the reply was not so agreeable as on the two preceding occasions. Young Tobie does not appear perfectly content. She no longer loves him!" "I beg your pardon," replied Tobie, filling his glass with champagne; "on the contrary, she loves me too well." "It's very strange, but one would swear that you were annoyed. Don't lie about it: your charmer has given you your walking ticket." "Not at all! but she's a horribly jealous creature, with whom I was to dine to-day. I broke my engagement in order to join you, and she writes me that it is plain that I no longer love her, and that she's going to take poison; that alarms me a little, because she's quite capable of doing as she says." "Nonsense! you must have read it wrong; it's fish [_poisson_] that she's going to take. Show us her letter." "Impossible, messieurs! I must respect her reputation." "I say! you're putting figs and raisins in your pockets now; do you like them pocketed, too?" "Oh! I was absent-minded; that devil of a woman! Why need she disturb my enjoyment! Basta! I won't think any more about her. Another love awaits me! Give me something to drink!" Monsieur Dupétrain, who had been coughing persistently for several minutes to attract the others' attention, replaced his elbows on the table, and began: "Messieurs, as the three messengers you were expecting have all come at last and brought replies to your messages, and as you will not be called away again, I think that this is an opportune time to tell you my somnambulistic anecdote." The young men prepared to listen; and Mouillot drew his watch, saying: "I am going to see how long your story lasts; I warn you that I give you only ten minutes. Look, Dupétrain, you see that it's eight twenty-five." Monsieur Dupétrain did not look at the watch, for he was already off. "A young woman, the wife of a man who was on a journey----" But at that moment, Albert, as if he suddenly recalled the plan he had formed, cried: "Eight twenty-five! Well, Tobie, what about your appointment for half-past eight? You have no time to spare, for the lady is not very patient."