“Supper is ready,” Paccard presently announced, in magnificent livery.
Peyrade was placed at Florine’s left hand, and on the other side of him Bixiou, whom Esther had enjoined to make the Englishman drink freely, and challenge him to beat him. Bixiou had the power of drinking an indefinite quantity.
Never in his life had Peyrade seen such splendor, or tasted of such cookery, or seen such fine women.
“I am getting my money’s worth this evening for the thousand crowns la Val-Noble has cost me till now,” thought he; “and besides, I have just won a thousand francs.”
“This is an example for men to follow!” said Suzanne, who was sitting by Lucien, with a wave of her hand at the splendors of the dining-room.
Esther had placed Lucien next herself, and was holding his foot between her own under the table.
“Do you hear?” said Madame du Val-Noble, addressing Peyrade, who affected blindness. “This is how you ought to furnish a house! When a man brings millions home from India, and wants to do business with the Nucingens, he should place himself on the same level.”
“I belong to a Temperance Society!”
“Then you will drink like a fish!” said Bixiou, “for the Indies are uncommon hot, uncle!”
It was Bixiou’s jest during supper to treat Peyrade as an uncle of his, returned from India.