"Attach us to your illustrious person! I believe that you have no esquire; you need one--a chevalier of your rank cannot do without an esquire; give me that post, and I will show myself worthy of the honor, on the faith of Plumard!" "Eh! why, in truth, that is not a bad idea! An esquire--yes, that looks well; I will make him wear my livery." "And I, seigneur," said Bahuchet, in his turn, "I offer myself as your page; for an esquire is not enough--you need a page to carry your billets-doux, your love messages--for you must send many of them!" "Oh! to be sure, I send and receive a great many--that is to say, not so many as you might think, perhaps, because---- Look you, I am going to open my heart to you, to make you my confidants." "That is too much honor for us, seigneur!" "Understand that I nourish in the depths of my heart a passion which I have tried a hundred times to banish; but it is impossible; the witch constantly returns to torment me night and day!" "Is monsieur le chevalier in love?" "Pardieu! I should say as much! So much in love that I have lost my sleep, my wits, and even my appetite! for it probably is this infernal love that weighs on my stomach and impairs my digestion." "Can it be that monsieur le chevalier's heart is fixed on a cruel fair! That is not possible." "You are right, Plumard; it is not possible! There can be no cruel fair for monsieur le chevalier!" "Mon Dieu! my boys,--what nice little fellows they are!--it is an extraordinary case, most assuredly! But if you knew the history of my love!--My heart is set upon a lovely female demon, whom I cannot see when I wish--who eludes me, flies from me! who vanishes when I think that I have her!" "Monsieur le chevalier, whoever the object of your love may be, if you take me for your page, I will undertake, ere long, to make you the happy vanquisher of your inamorata!" "And I take the same oath if I become esquire to Monsieur le Chevalier--apple-green--I mean de Passedix; he will see how we will forward his love affairs!" "Very good! shake hands! it is a bargain; I attach you both to my person; you are my page, and you my esquire." "Vive monsieur le chevalier!" "I say nothing of wages--but whatever you receive will be yours." "That is enough for us." "Are you still hungry?" "Always!" "They are admirable!--Waiter, a succulent dish to close the repast; a fricassée of hare! that is your forte. And let us drink--let us even touch glasses--I will condescend so far.--Moreover, I know that you are young men of good breeding, ex-Basochians; for that reason, when I am alone, I will always admit you to my table." "And we will give you an appetite, seigneur!" "I rely upon it!"