“Now, Victor,” said Léontine, who had been studying the wine list, “as I invited myself here to-night, I intend to be part host. I claim the right of providing the wine and cigars. They shall be of the best, as the best of husbands deserves.” Then, turning to François, she said: “Your best Chambertin with the soup, and a bottle of this 1840 Bordeaux, and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Also, for Monsieur le Capitaine some of your Reina Regente cigars.” Léontine returned to her study of the wine list and de Meneval and François exchanged sympathetic grins. François vanished after having received a very expensive order.
Left to themselves, Léontine and Victor began to condole with each other on the prospect of their rustication.
“It is not for myself I grieve,” declared Léontine, “it is for you, poor darling.”
“Never mind me,” protested de Meneval. “If only you were not condemned to that infernal little cottage! Well, we shall have one good dinner, anyhow, before we begin doing time, as it were.”
And as they were exchanging their lugubrious confidences, a shriek of hoarse laughter resounded near them, and there on the arbor hung a cage with a parrot in it which Léontine immediately recognized as Pierrot. With gurgles of laughter Léontine told Victor of her visit to the Rue Clarisse that morning and the flight of Pierrot, along with that of Papa Bouchard and Pierre.
“And I shall go to-morrow morning and tell Aunt Céleste that I have seen her dear Pierrot.”
“It will be cruelty to animals to take the poor devil back to the Rue Clarisse,” replied de Meneval.
François then returned with the soup and fish, both of which were excellent. De Meneval made a point of calling François “Louis” or “Adolphe” occasionally, and François never failed to respectfully correct him.
Meanwhile, sweet sounds of the orchestra and of singing floated out from the open windows of the Pigeon House. More people strolled on the terrace, including many officers of the garrison; and when the intermission came, a flock of girls, each escorted by a young man, generally an officer, came out, laughing and chattering, and took their places at the little tables. Some had only a glass of lemonade or wine, others had time for a pâté or some trifle of the kind. It was very pretty and picturesque, and Léontine, never having seen anything of the kind, was delighted.