Monsieur Poterne complied, looking as if he were about to weep. Daréna pocketed the gold and returned to Chérubin, who was admiring himself in the mirror. Jasmin came to say that breakfast was served, and the gentlemen took their seats at the table. They were hardly seated when Monsieur de Monfréville was announced. When he saw Daréna at table with their young friend of the preceding day, Monfréville moved his head imperceptibly and said to the count: “Here already? The deuce! you must have come quite early.” “When I am fond of my friends, I am always in haste to see them,” replied Daréna.--”What wine is this, faithful Jasmin?” “Beaune, monsieur,” replied the old servant, bowing. “It is very good; but I like sauterne and chambertin at breakfast. You must have a fine cellar here?” “Oh, yes, monsieur; and all old wines.” “I imagine so, if they were laid in by our young friend’s father.--Come, O model of old retainers, go and bring us several more bottles. When a cellar has been left in peace for a generation, it seems to me that it is high time to empty it.” Jasmin hastened to do as he was requested, and Monfréville said to Daréna: “But you give orders without even consulting the master of the house!” “My friend has given me carte blanche, and I am making the most of it.” “Yes, monsieur,” said Chérubin; “pray do whatever you choose in my house.” Daréna leaned toward Monfréville and said in his ear: “He was already talking of going back to Gagny this morning; if we don’t make the young fellow giddy, he is capable of returning to his nurse, and that would be downright murder!” “Aren’t you going to breakfast with us, monsieur?” Chérubin asked Monfréville. “Thanks, my young friend, but I have breakfasted. Were you satisfied with the tradespeople whom I sent to you this morning?” “Oh, yes, monsieur; everything was beautiful. I bought a lot of things, and so did monsieur le comte.” Monfréville glanced at Daréna, who pretended not to hear and seemed busily occupied helping himself to partridge pie. “And look at my watch and my gold chain, and this pin. Monsieur Daréna sent them all to me by his steward. How pretty they are, aren’t they?” “Did you pay much for them?” Monfréville inquired. “Why, no, only two thousand five hundred francs; I don’t call that dear!” Monfréville looked again at Daréna, who continued to stuff himself with partridges. “Why, yes, it was quite enough,” he said; “in fact, it was very dear. In the future, with your permission, I will advise you in your purchases; I fancy that I know at least as much about such matters as monsieur’s steward.” Jasmin returned with a number of bottles; he broke one when he attempted to put it on the table, and dropped a cream cheese on Daréna’s head. Chérubin was terribly distressed by his servant’s awkwardness; and the old fellow, overwhelmed with confusion by what he had done, slunk out of sight behind a screen. Daréna was the first to laugh at the accident.