Volume Ii Part 54 (1/2)

”It isn't a question of drinking only; everybody's feeling in his pocket, you see.”

”Ah! that's so. Pardieu! I'll give ten sous.”

”That isn't much for a baron! but perhaps it's enough for you. I will collect the offerings in this preserve dish.”

”Faith! the money can go to its address at once,” said Chamoureau; ”for, as I wanted little Emile to make a public apology to my wife, I told Jacqueline to bring him to us while we were at dinner.”

Thelenie glared at her husband with a savage gleam in her eyes.

”What, monsieur? what did you say? this nurse----”

”Is coming here, my dear love, with the little vagabond, to apologize to you. It's a little surprise I arranged for you. Then we will give the good woman the money we have collected for her. I can see her joy now; it will make a charming picture!”

”Why, monsieur, you have no common sense! What need have we of that peasant woman's presence, to bore us with her chatter?”

At that moment a servant came forward and said:

”There's a country woman outside with a little boy; she wishes to pay her respects to madame.”

Thelenie rose abruptly.

”This is very strange!” she said; ”I am terribly dizzy; I do not feel at all well. Receive this woman, monsieur, and send her away. Come with me, Helose. Pray don't be alarmed, my friends, it will not be anything serious.”

And Thelenie took her friend's arm and left the tent with a rapidity most surprising in a person who feels indisposed.

But the guests did not notice this circ.u.mstance; they were awaiting with interest the nurse and the little boy, who soon presented themselves, the former with repeated curtsies, the latter staring at the whole company with an impertinent expression.

”That little fellow has very fine eyes!” said Freluchon; ”they are almost as large as Madame de Belleville's. Don't you think so, Baron von Schtapelmerg?”

The baron, who was beginning to be a little tipsy, replied:

”My sister has the finest eyes in Paris!”

”Your sister! who's your sister?”

Croque saw that he had made a false step.

”Yes, I've got a sister,” he rejoined, ”who has a pair of eyes like portes cocheres.”

And he poured out a gla.s.s of water and swallowed it at a draught, muttering:

”I've had enough wine for to-day; I must look out for myself.”

Meanwhile Chamoureau, thinking that the moment had come to put in a little _speech_, took the preserve dish which contained the proceeds of the collection, and said to the peasant:

”My good woman, it is with renewed pleasure--no; I noticed long ago--wait; no, never mind that.--You will not see Madame de Belleville, for, notwithstanding her earnest desire to know you, a sudden indisposition, which I attribute to--what on earth can have made my wife ill? perhaps it was the melon; and yet it was delicious; but there is much difference in digestions--What were we saying?--Ah! there's the little rascal who dared to throw stones at my wife. He looks promising.

I say, my buck--my lost child!--he's the lost child, isn't he?”

”Alas! yes, monsieur.”