"It's your turn, Jericourt." "Do that! why that's the ass's bridge!" replied the man of letters, with a shrug. "Well, do it then." "No, I didn't come to dinner to play tricks." "That's a pity," said Roncherolle, "for I am sure that monsieur must know some that we do not." "In that case," said Saint-Arthur, filling a glass to the brim with champagne and putting it on a plate, "it's my turn; now that I have seen the thing done twice, I don't see why I shouldn't do it too; I am no more of a fool than other people." "That's too bad, my dear; if you were, it would be a way of attracting attention!" "Hush, Zizi! don't say nasty things, but watch; I am going to begin." The pretty youth succeeded in raising the glass to his lips, but just as he was about to drink, he lifted the plate too high, and all the contents of the glass fell on his shirt and his cravat. Alfred cried aloud in dismay, while his three guests roared with laughter, that incident having restored Jericourt's good humor. "_Sapristi!_ I am done for. I was on the edge of success, for I certainly should have drunk it all without spilling a drop." "But you didn't spill a drop," said Roncherolle; "the whole business went." "I am wet through, my shirt is drenched and my cravat; what shall I do? I can't show myself in this condition." "Well then, don't show yourself, my friend, keep out of sight. At all events, it will be dark when you leave here, and you'll only need to button your coat military fashion; that will give you the air of a hero, it will change you completely." "But I am all wet, I am----" "Nonsense! take a napkin and wipe yourself, and above all things don't be sulky; we came here to enjoy ourselves, and you still have to learn thirty-one ways of drinking champagne." Saint-Arthur made no reply; he stuffed three napkins into his bosom and began to eat again. "Deuce take it! my dear man," said Jericourt, drinking his wine slowly, "that is what comes of trying to learn original things in order to make yourself agreeable in society; you don't always succeed." "In fact, there are some people who never succeed," observed Roncherolle. "I request a suspension of the lessons in drinking champagne," said Alfred; "I must dry myself before attempting anything else." "We consent," said Zizi, "on condition that it is not to interfere with our drinking." "It seems to me that you are doing very well," said Jericourt; "you will be rather gay in your play to-night!" "So much the better! The play lacks gayety, and I shall do well to impart a little to it." "I came near acting once," said the host, still sponging himself. "Do you remember, Jericourt, that place in the country you took me to some weeks ago--at Nogent-sur-Marne?" "Yes, it was very amusing." "There was one thing that I didn't call amusing, and that was being obliged to escort that lady back to Paris--an ex-pretty woman."