“Perhaps you would drink to their health?”
“Of course, if the wine was good.”
“I dare you to do it,” said Montbar, emptying the last of the second bottle into Antoine’s glass.
“You know the proverb?” said the postilion.
“What is it?”
“Never defy a fool to commit his folly. To the health of the Companions of Jehu.”
“Amen!” responded Montbar.
“And the five louis?” asked Antoine, putting his glass on the table.
“There they are.”
“Thank you; you shall have the holsters on your saddle; but take my advice and don’t put pistols in ‘em; or if you do, follow Père Jérôme’s example—he’s the conductor of the Geneva diligence—and put powder and no balls in ‘em.”