Dubourg did not consent at once; they had made a vow, he said, not to act in any French theatre. Floridor urged them, implored them, and ordered a fresh bottle of wine. Ménard was touched by the supper and the little manager's compliments, and when they left the table he was ready to promise to play any part he was asked to take; but Dubourg did not yield so readily, because he desired to obtain a high price. Floridor did not leave his side, he was ready to kneel at his feet; he would make any sacrifice, he said, to open his theatre with such notable artists, and he finally offered them a hundred francs for four performances, which was a fabulous sum for acting in a stable. Dubourg surrendered, declaring that he did it solely to oblige him. The little man was beside himself with joy; he instantly prepared three posters, which would be displayed in the town on the morrow, announcing to the people thereof that Messieurs Boleslas and Wolowitz, famous Polish actors, were to appear at their theatre. "We should like to open with _Phèdre_ or _Le Devin du Village_," said Floridor. "Oh! bless my soul! it's a matter of indifference to us," replied Dubourg; "whatever you choose." "Then we will begin with that." "Very well, I will do Phèdre." "Phèdre? do you mean to say that you play female parts too?" "Oh, no! I meant Hippolyte. Wolowitz will make a glorious Thésée." "Very good. For the _Devin_ I only need a Colin." "I'll undertake it. In four days we will be ready." "Four days--that's rather too long." "We must have a little rest." "All right, four days it is. You will be announced to-morrow. Have you any wardrobe?" "No; for we had no idea of acting." "No matter; I will see that you have costumes." With that, Floridor left our friends, and they went to bed, Dubourg laughing over this latest adventure, and Ménard murmuring: "If monsieur le baron does it, why shouldn't I do it?" When he woke the next morning, poor Ménard could not believe that he was really going to play Thésée; but Dubourg appeared, book in hand, and gave him his rôle, which the little manager had already sent, with the information that there would be a rehearsal at noon. "Bah!" said Dubourg; "there aren't a hundred lines in your part. What's that to you, who have learned Horace and Virgil and so many other authors by heart?" "That's all very well; but I have passed my life learning them, while I have only three days to commit this to memory." "Don't be afraid, I'll answer for everything; besides, there's a prompter." "That's true; I must depend on him." "As long as you know your first speech, that's all that's necessary." "Oh! as to that, I'm not at all alarmed: "'La fortune à mes voeux cesse d'être opposée, Madame, et dans vos bras met----'" "Bravo! you say it like an angel." "It's the curse that bothers me." "See that you gesticulate enough, and it will be all right."