But let us not anticipate; let us leave him with the dumb girl, who loves him as dearly as on the first day, because--oh! ask some woman why!--and let us return to Dubourg, who once more has the funds for the journey at his disposal. XV FÊTE, DINNER PARTY, FIREWORKS, SURPRISE On arriving at Grenoble, Dubourg ordered dinner, and the usual repast, common to all the guests, was served to them. "What kind of a dinner is this? we must have something different to eat, and, above all, some different wines," said Dubourg, beginning to make an uproar because he had money in his pocket. The host appeared, and informed the gentlemen that their account was already quite large, because, in addition to their board and lodging, their young companion had foundered all the horses belonging to the inn by overriding them. Dubourg's only reply was to take a five-hundred-franc note from his pocket and give it to the innkeeper, saying, with all the sang-froid of true grandeur: "Take your pay out of this." The host opened his eyes; his pinched nostrils expanded; his mouth, in his efforts to give it an amiable expression, split from ear to ear; he tied himself up in apologetic phrases, and ended by saying that he would at once make up his account, but that he hoped that the gentlemen would not leave him, and, if agreeable to them, he would give them muscatel with their dinner. When he had gone, Monsieur Ménard, whose expression was almost as comical as the innkeeper's, said to Dubourg: "Have you received funds from Poland, monsieur le baron?" "Why, yes, to be sure, Monsieur Ménard. Parbleu! Money isn't apt to be scarce long, with me." "But I didn't see the courier who----" "You must have been asleep when he arrived. The main point is that we can go anywhere now, and not have to stand by, like misers, and watch other people play, which is not noble at all. To begin with, we will go to see our friend Chambertin to-morrow; but, in my judgment, we had better send a messenger to give him notice of our proposed visit, so that he may entertain us as we deserve. What do you think about it, Monsieur Ménard?" "I think that cannot fail to have a good effect, monsieur le baron." "Then find me a scullery boy, and dress him in your flannel waistcoat and my morning cap, to give him an English look. Meanwhile, I will go and write my letter." Ménard went out to look for a boy to be transformed into an English jockey, while Dubourg composed the following epistle: "Baron Ladislas Potoski, Palatine of Rava, etc., etc., has the honor to inform his honorable friend De Chambertin d 'Allevard that he will visit his château to-morrow, accompanied by Professor Ménard. Baron Potoski kisses the hand of Madame de Chambertin d'Allevard." They handed the letter to the scullery boy disguised as a courier, who, in consideration of a five-franc piece, went off at once to deliver it at its address.