"That's all," concluded Colline. "Now the question is open."
"What is the social position of your principal?" asked Rodolphe.
"He is no principal of mine," answered the other. "Last night he begged me to accompany him, and overflowed me with attentions and good liquor for a while. But I have retained my independence."
"Good," said Schaunard.
"Sketch us some leading features of his character," said Marcel.
"Grandeur of soul, austerity of manners, afraid to go into wine shops, bachelor of arts, candid as a transparency, plays on the bass-viol, is disposed to change a five franc piece occasionally."
"Good again!" said Schaunard.
"What are his hopes?"
"As I told you already, his ambition knows no bounds; he aspires to be 'hail-fellow-well-met' with us."
"That is to say," answered Marcel, "he wishes to speculate upon us, and to be seen riding in our carriages."