"'Very well; I say that a man, and by a man I do not mean a carter but an epicure--a pupil of Montron or of Courchamps--can eat a dinner of five hundred francs.' "'You, for example?' "'I, or any one else.' "'Can you?' "'Certainly.' "'I hold the five hundred francs,' said one of the bystanders; 'name your conditions.' "'That is a simple matter. I will dine at the Café de Paris, make up my bill of fare, and eat my five-hundred-franc dinner.' "'Without leaving anything on the dishes or plates?' "'No, indeed; I will leave the bones.' "'And when will the wager take place?' "'To-morrow, if you say so.' "'Then you will not breakfast?' asked one of the bystanders. "'I will breakfast as usual.' "'Be it so. To-morrow at seven, at the Café de Paris.' "The same evening the Viscount dined as usual at the restaurant; then, after dinner, in order not to be influenced by stomachic cravings, he set about preparing his carte for the following day. "The maître-d'hôtel was summoned. It was midwinter; the Viscount suggested numerous fruits and early vegetables. The hunting season was closed; he wanted some game. "A week's grace was asked by the maître-d'hôtel. "The dinner was postponed for a week. "On the right and left of the table the judges were to dine. "The Viscount had two hours in which to dine--from seven to nine. "He could talk or not, as he chose. "At the appointed hour the Viscount appeared, saluted the judges, and turned towards the table. "The bill of fare was to remain a mystery to his adversaries; they were to have the pleasure of a surprise. "The Viscount sat down. He was served with twelve dozen Ostende oysters, with a half-bottle of Johannisberger. "The Viscount was in excellent appetite; he asked for another twelve dozen oysters, and another half-bottle of the same growth. "Then came a soup of swallows' nests, which the Viscount poured in a bowl and drank as a bouillon. "'Really, gentlemen,' said he, 'I am in fine trim to-day, and I have a notion to gratify a whim.' "'Go on, _pardieu_, you are the doctor.' "'I adore beefsteak and potatoes.' "'Gentlemen, no advice, if you please,' said a voice. "'Pooh! waiter,' said the Viscount, 'a beefsteak and potatoes.' "The waiter, astonished, looked at the Viscount. "'Don't you understand me?' said the latter. "'But I thought that Monsieur le Vicomte had made up his bill of fare?' "'That is true, but this is an extra; I will pay for it separately.' "The judges looked at each other. The beefsteak and potatoes were brought on, and were promptly despatched. "'Now for the fish!' "The fish was brought on.