Plumard simply motioned with his head, calling his comrade's attention to the fascinating girl. Whereupon Bahuchet looked at Bathilde and said, with a wink: "Ah! famous! that's famous!--You see, Plumard, when I see such an attractive young woman, I begin by saluting her, to show my respect. Do as I do." And Monsieur Bahuchet took off his cap to Bathilde, who paid no attention to him. But Plumard, who did not choose to uncover his head, made an impatient gesture and moved a little farther away, muttering: "I have a cold in my head." From time to time Ambroisine turned, and her eyes seemed to seek someone in that multitude, made up of people of all ranks and classes, who seemed to have appointed to meet on Place de Grève. "Do you see Landry?" Master Hugonnet asked his daughter, who shook her head, murmuring: "No, father, no, I don't see Monsieur Landry." But was it Landry for whom she was looking? Was it not rather Miretta, who had told her that she too would try to go to see the Fire of Saint-Jean? Indeed, I would not swear that the _belle baigneuse_ was not looking for someone else, for there was in her eyes a certain expression that might have aroused the suspicions of a jealous husband. "Well! aren't they going to light the fire this evening? Are they going to make us wait till Saint-Martin's? I say! Plumard! Plumard! are you still playing the wooden man?" "Come here, Bahuchet; this is a much better place, it's nearer the fire." "What! do you dare to go so near as that? Look out, Plumard! the flame may singe your hair. Give me a lock first; I am sure that before long it will bring a high price, your hair! and, even so, everyone won't get it who would like some of it." "You have forgotten something, Bahuchet!" "What is that?" "The two corks that you put in your nose when you go out on a windy night. Look out! there's a man with a torch beside you; don't turn, your nose would blow it out." "Ah! Monsieur Plumard is pleased to be sarcastic.--However, you have a right to swagger; you know that I won't take you by the hair." "Wait! just wait! I will give you a drubbing, you miserable dwarf!" The two clerks approached to exchange blows; but as the Chevalier Passedix was between them, they used him as a rampart behind which to shelter themselves, and that rampart received many of the blows which the young gentlemen intended for each other. "Sandioux! here are two rascals fighting between my legs now! Have you nearly finished, pygmies? If you force me to draw Roland from its sheath, I promise you that you will both be spitted like starlings!"