"Now," said Tapin, "may I make an observation?"
"Speak."
"As monseigneur's agent, I gain three crowns a day."
"Well, is not that enough, you scoundrel?"
"It was enough as agent. I do not complain, but it is not enough as wine-merchant. Oh, the horrid trade!"
"Drink and amuse yourself."
"Since I have sold wine I hate it."
"Because you see how it is made; but drink champagne, muscat, anything: Bourguignon pays. Apropos, he has had a real attack; so your lie was only an affair of chronology."
"Indeed."
"Yes, fear has caused it; you want to inherit his goods?"