"Have you heard," said Thibault de Saulges, "that the Regent has sent ten thousand English to take Orleans?"
"In that case," said Sieur Guillaume, "the town will fall into their hands, as have already Jargeau and Beaugency, and so many good cities of the kingdom."
"That remains to be seen!" said the little Pierrolet, growing red.
But, he being at the far end of the table, once again no one heard him.
"Let us drink, monsignors," said Sieur Guillaume, who was doing the honours of his table lavishly.
And he set the example by raising his great cup of silver gilt.
More loudly than ever the cry resounded:
"The King drinks! The King drinks!"
But after the thunder of the toast had rolled away, Sieur Pierre Corneille, who was seated rather low down at the table, said bitterly:
"Monsignors, I denounce the little Pierrolet. He did not cry 'The King drinks!' Thereby he has transgressed our rights and customs, and he must be punished."