"That is what I was just saying to monsieur, cousin——"
"I say there! waiter!"
"Waiter! bring some punch! My cousin is calling you!"
Cousin Ravinet was determined to do his part. The two men held me so that I could not escape. A waiter arrived with a salver. I realized that I should get into serious difficulty if I refused; it would be quite likely to draw down upon me the wrath of Madame Girie, whom I spied in a corner, whispering with some other women. So I swallowed the glass of punch, hoping that I should be set free; but I was disappointed. Monsieur Bocal led me away toward his daughter Pétronille, saying:
"You must dance with the bride."
"It's a very great honor, but——"
"Oh! you must dance with her. My landlord refused to dance, but he's an elderly man. But a famous dancer, a zephyr, like you, can't refuse."
I did not know how to evade the honors with which I was overwhelmed. Monsieur Bocal had already said to his daughter:
"Pétronille, you're going to dance with monsieur—my landlord's friend."
"But, papa, I am going to dance with Freluchon."