Monsieur the master of Méricourt would seal that queer compact of entertainment with the nephew of his father’s friend over a bottle of Niersteiner, which he had up from the cellar there and then.
“’Tis a rare brand,” quoth he, his eyes responding with a flick to the drawing of the cork; “and we will share both bottle and expense like sworn brothers!”
Ned sipped a single glass reluctant. So much the better for the other.
“I am your debtor!” he cried, as he drained the flask. “Draw upon me for the balance when you will.”
His face was flushed. He talked a good deal, and not in an intelligent vein. The visitor accepted him as an enigma that time should solve. There seemed so much firmness of purpose, so wanton an infirmity of performance, in his composition. Certainly, having the courage of his convictions in one way, and the consequent right to expound them literally in another, he might lay claim to consistency in flooding himself with wine before eleven o’clock in the morning. Still, to Ned, this implied a certain contradiction, inasmuch as no creed of right hedonism could include excess with its penalties.
“Monsieur, mon ami,” cried St Denys, on a wavering, jovial key, “you will oblige me by indulging, while here, your easiest caprices. Come and go as you will; I desire to put no restraint on you. You shall pay only for your clean linen, and for your food and drink. The first two you will find at least wholesome. For the last, behold the proof! If you want luxury, you must seek elsewhere. My socialism is eminently practical. The free expression of nature—that is the creed we seek to give effect to in this little corner of the world. But we are no Sybarites.”
“Nor I,” said Ned; “but, for you—you are a man of strong convictions, monsieur?”
St Denys laughed, sprawling back in his chair, and waved his hand significantly to the empty walls.
“Just so,” said Ned. “But I am a very chiffonnier for raking in the dust for hidden motives.”
The Frenchman cocked a sleepy lid, scrutinising his guest with a little arrogance of humour.