"Oh, I," the stranger replied laughingly, "that is another affair; let us make a distinction, if you please, master; you did not receive me, far from it; I pressed my company on you, as I think you will allow."
"It is only too true."
"Do you regret it?"
"Far from it, monseigneur," he exclaimed eagerly, for he was not at all desirous of re-arousing the slumbering wrath of the irascible stranger; "I am only stating a fact."
"Very good, I see with pleasure, Master Pivois, that you are a very serious man; you are stating a fact, you say?"
"Alas! yes," the luckless host sighed.
"Very good; now follow my reasoning closely."
"I am doing so."
"When these gentlemen arrive, which according to your statement, will be soon, you will only have one thing to do."
"What is it, monseigneur?"