"Bigre! my boy, you are hard to please! You see before you a delicious supper--with two jovial companions; this venerable Bohemian fills your glass every instant; this wine is very good--and you are not satisfied. Is it because we had a quarrel with two boors? But in Paris it rarely happens that one passes a day without an affair, more or less serious. Why, I myself, as you see me, when I return home at night without having drawn my sword, am not content with my day; I feel that something is lacking.--You must know, respected Bohemian, that this young man has been in Paris only since this morning; he cannot as yet be acquainted with our customs; but I have undertaken his education, and I will push him!" "Thanks!" said Cédrille to himself; "if he pushes me the way he has this evening, I shall risk nothing by keeping on my guard." "Yes, yes," said the old man, caressing his beard, "I know that this young man arrived in Paris to-day, with his cousin, a very pretty young woman--a fascinating brunette." "I say! you know that?" exclaimed Cédrille, staring at the old man in amazement. "You're a sorcerer, are you?" "That is my profession." "And I bow before your magic power!" cried Passedix, emptying his glass at a draught. "But they burn sorcerers!" muttered the peasant, moving his chair away from the table and looking at the Bohemian with a distrustful expression. "And so I fully expect to be roasted some day! But meanwhile I must make merry during the time I still have to pass on this earth.--Waiter, eau-de-vie--a large measure!" Passedix grasped the Bohemian's hand and shook it effusively, saying: "If anyone should ever be so ill-advised as to touch a hair of your head!--You know that I am devoted to you and that I am fearless?--I will undertake to deliver you, even from the Bastille, if they should imprison you there!" Poussinet brought the eau-de-vie, for which the old man paid on the spot. Meanwhile, most of the drinkers and habitués of the establishment had gone; and the proprietor, approaching our three friends, bowed to them, very respectfully this time, and said: "Messeigneurs, the curfew has rung; I must warn you that I shall soon be obliged, to my regret, to send you away; for if the watch should see a light in my shop, I----" "Very good, very good, my man!" replied the Bohemian; "we are drinking quietly, we are making no disturbance, and we have some time before us still. Moreover, there are ways of arranging matters with the watch." As he spoke, the old man slipped into the cabaretier's hand a piece of silver which he took from his belt. The proprietor of the Loup de Mer bowed again, saying: "Well, messeigneurs, do as you please; my first duty is to satisfy my customers." "Sandis! let the watch come!" cried Passedix, drinking eau-de-vie as if it were wine. "We will give them a warm reception; they'll find someone to talk to, eh! friend Cédrille?--Let us take a drink! this young new-comer hangs back!"