"Alas! I would it were so for everybody as it is for me." "What do you mean?" "Pray do not get into a passion, sir," the landlord continued timidly; "I have not the slightest intention of insulting you." "In that case explain yourself in the Fiend's name, my master, and come frankly to the point; I do not understand what others beside yourself have to do in the matter." "That is just the difficulty," said Master Pivois, scratching his head. "Speak, zounds! I am not an ogre; what is it that causes you such anxiety?" The landlord saw that he must out with it, and fear giving him courage, he bravely made up his mind. "Monseigneur," he said, honestly, "believe me that I am too much the man of the world to venture to act with rudeness to a gentleman of your importance--" "Enough of that," the stranger interrupted, with a smile. "But--" the host continued. "Ah! There is a _but_." "Alas! Monseigneur, there always is one, and today a bigger one than ever." "Hang it all, you terrify me, master," the stranger remarked, with a laugh; "tell me quickly, I beg of you, what this terrible but is." "Alas! Monseigneur, it is this: my entire hostelry was engaged a week ago by a party of gentlemen; I expect them to arrive in an hour--half an hour, perhaps, and--" "And?" the stranger asked, in an enquiring tone, which caused the host to shudder. "Well, Monseigneur," he resumed in a choking voice, "these gentlemen insist on having the hostelry to themselves, and made me swear not to receive any other traveller but themselves, and paid me to that effect." "Very good," said the stranger, with an air of indifference. "What do you say; very good? Monseigneur," Master Pivois exclaimed. "Hang it! What else would you have me say? You have strictly fulfilled your engagement, and no one has the right to reproach you." "How so, sir?" "Unless you have someone concealed here," the stranger answered, imperturbably, "which, I confess, would not be at all honourable on your part." "I have nobody." "Well, then?" "But you, monseigneur?" he hazarded timidly. "Oh, I," the stranger replied laughingly, "that is another affair; let us make a distinction, if you please, master; you did not receive me, far from it; I pressed my company on you, as I think you will allow." "It is only too true." "Do you regret it?" "Far from it, monseigneur," he exclaimed eagerly, for he was not at all desirous of re-arousing the slumbering wrath of the irascible stranger; "I am only stating a fact." "Very good, I see with pleasure, Master Pivois, that you are a very serious man; you are stating a fact, you say?" "Alas! yes," the luckless host sighed. "Very good; now follow my reasoning closely." "I am doing so." "When these gentlemen arrive, which according to your statement, will be soon, you will only have one thing to do." "What is it, monseigneur?"