"The larger the better; we can the more easily place the guards."
"Go to the council chamber," said Richard. "But it is not habitable at this moment; it has no bed."
"True," replied his wife, "I had quite forgotten that."
"Bah!" said one of the gendarmes, "you can put a bed there to-morrow, and to-morrow will soon be here."
"Besides, the citizen could occupy our chamber for one night; could she not, good man?" said Richard's wife.
"And what are we to do?" said the keeper.
"Oh, we can do without a bed for one night; and as the citizen gendarme observes, 'the night is nearly gone.'"
"Then," said Richard, "conduct the citizeness to our chamber."
"And in the mean while you will prepare our receipt?"
"It shall be ready on your return."