"Yes; imagine forty-five brave gentlemen."
"Forty-five? What do you mean?"
"Forty-five gentlemen."
"Where did you find them? Not in Paris, I suppose?"
"No, but they arrived here yesterday."
"Oh!" cried Chicot, with a sudden illumination, "I know these gentlemen."
"Really!"
"Forty-five beggars, who only want the wallet; figures to make one die with laughter."
"Chicot, there are splendid men among them."
"Gascons, like your colonel-general of infantry."