"Saint-Dantin, a wager!" called De Vangrisse. "What are you talking of so earnestly?"
"Of pink coats," answered Philip. "Oh, my rondeau! Where is it?"
"Devil take your rondeau!" cried the Vicomte. "Come and hazard a throw with me."
"A l'instant!" Philip untied the ribbon about his rondeau and spread out the parchment. "I insist that you shall listen to this product of my brain!" He mounted a chair amid derisive cheers, and bowed right and left in mock solemnity. "To the Pearl that Trembles in her Ear.
"Cette petite perle qui tremblotte
Au bout ton oreille, et qui chuchotte
Je ne sais quoi de tendre et de malin.
A l'air à la fois modeste et coquin,
Si goguenarde est elle et si dévote.
"A regarder c'est toute une gavotte