"What! something else?"
"A number that each one pronounced, and which, added together, made more than eight thousand."
"Ah! as to that, Chicot, I did not understand it myself; unless, as the beggars are divided into corporations, they each named the number of members, which seems to me probable."
"Sire, sire!"
"Come and sup, my friend, nothing enlightens the mind like eating and drinking. Let us go to table, and you shall see that if my pistoles are cut, my bottles are full."
Then, passing his arm familiarly through Chicot's, the king went back to his room, where supper was served. Passing by the queen's room, he glanced at it, and saw no light.
"Page," said he, "is not her majesty at home?"
"Her majesty is gone to see Mademoiselle de Montmorency, who is ill."
"Ah! poor Fosseuse!" said Henri: "it is true, the queen has such a good heart. Come to supper, Chicot."