“Complaint and indictment! affair in the police court!” cried Lupin. “Oh! that would be grand!”
“Glorious!” said Soudry, candidly. “What happiness to see the Comte de Montcornet, grand cross of the Legion of honor, commander of the Order of Saint Louis, and lieutenant-general, accused of having attempted, in a public resort, the virtue—just think of it!”
“He loves his wife too well,” said Lupin, reflectively. “He couldn’t be got to that.”
“That’s no obstacle,” remarked Rigou; “but I don’t know a single girl in the whole arrondissement who is capable of making a sinner of a saint. I have been looking out for one for the abbe.”
“What do you say to that handsome Gatienne Giboulard, of Auxerre, whom Sarcus, junior, is mad after?” asked Lupin.
“That’s the only one,” answered Rigou, “but she is not suitable; she thinks she has only to be seen to be admired; she’s not complying enough; we want a witch and a sly-boots, too. Never mind, the right one will turn up sooner or later.”
“Yes,” said Lupin, “the more pretty girls he sees the greater the chances are.”
“But perhaps you can’t get the Shopman to the fair,” said the ex-gendarme. “And if he does come, will he go to the Tivoli ball?”
“The reason that has always kept him away from the fair doesn’t exist this year, my love,” said Madame Soudry.
“What reason, dearest?” asked Soudry.