Monsieur d’Hurbain glanced at Monfréville with an air of satisfaction, as if to congratulate him on having discovered the means of seducing Chérubin, who, in truth, seemed delighted with his costume. He constantly gazed at and admired himself; and Monsieur de Monfréville, to encourage his favorable disposition, made haste to say to him: “I was told that you lived in a village, but I was loath to believe it! The son of the Marquis de Grandvilain, who ought to be noted for his style, his dress, his manners, who, in short, was made to be a shining light in Parisian society, cannot remain buried in a peasant’s house! It is an anomaly--a crime! These trifling specimens of clothes will give you an idea of what you would have in Paris. I have come in my tilbury to fetch you, and I propose that within a week you shall be the best dressed, the most stylish young man in the capital. You will set the fashion; you are rich enough and handsome enough for that.” Chérubin seemed to be captivated by Monfréville’s words, and the latter, assured of his triumph, said in a moment: “Let us start, my young friend, let us not delay any longer. The tilbury is waiting for us, and Paris is beckoning to you.” But at that Chérubin’s face became clouded, and instead of following Monsieur de Monfréville and the notary, who had risen, he resumed his seat, saying: “No, I don’t want to go away, for I want Louise to see me in these clothes.” The two gentlemen from the city were in despair; they believed that they had fully persuaded the young marquis to accompany them, and again he refused. The notary argued, Monfréville put forth all his eloquence and drew fascinating pictures of the pleasures of Paris, but Chérubin refused to go with them. Monsieur Gérondif was in dismay, Nicole was triumphant, and Jasmin muttered under his breath: “I had an idea that these men wouldn’t be any smarter than me.” No one spoke, for no one knew what course to adopt. Suddenly they heard another carriage approaching. Thereupon a gleam of hope shone in Monfréville’s eyes, and Monsieur d’Hurbain exclaimed: “Faith! it’s high time that Monsieur Daréna arrived, but I doubt very much his having any better success than we have had.” “Perhaps he will,” murmured Monfréville; “Daréna is one of those people who dare to do anything.” The carriage stopped in front of the nurse’s house, and Nicole’s guests ran to the door to see who alighted. The cab, for it was a vulgar cab that had arrived, seemed to contain a number of people, to judge by the noise inside. Several voices could be heard speaking at once, and continual bursts of laughter. At last the door opened. Monsieur Daréna alighted first, dressed even more shabbily than on the previous day; which fact did not deter him from exhibiting the most distinguished manners, as he assisted his companions to alight.