"The lines seem to me a fit motto for a shepherd's pipe; but what of that? Truth needs no ornamentation. But now on, on to the house of Madame Herbaut!"
"You still insist? Consider well."
"Olivier, you are really intolerable. I'll go alone if you won't accompany me."
"Come, then, the die is cast. It is understood that you are simply Gerald Senneterre, a former comrade of mine."
"Senneterre? No; that would be too imprudent. You had better call me Gerald Auvernay, for I am adorned with the marquisate of Auvernay, my dear Olivier, though you may not be aware of the fact."
"You are M. Gerald Auvernay, then; that is decided. But the devil!"
"What's the matter now?"
"But what else are you going to be?"
"What else am I going to be?"
"Yes; what is to be your occupation?"