THE MAGISTRATE.—Every night she comes home with two lovers.

POLICHINELLE.—Impossible, monsieur le commissaire! I always wait for her in the concierge’s lodge; she comes home alone.

THE MAGISTRATE.—She conceals her lovers under her hoop-skirt, monsieur.

POLICHINELLE.—Oh! mon Dieu! what do you tell me, monsieur le commissaire! and she talks of wearing a steel skirt now in addition! Does the woman propose to smuggle a whole regiment into my house?

Thélénie, not finding the scene to her taste, rose hurriedly, saying:

“It seems to me, mesdames, that we have had enough of the marionettes; there are other amusements awaiting us in the garden, and it will not be long before dinner.”

Everybody followed the hostess with alacrity. The Théâtre de Guignol was deserted, and Monsieur Courty said to Freluchon when he put his head out over the canvas:

“There’s no one here, my dear fellow; you have emptied the house—fait four.”

“On the contrary, I have fired my shot—fait feu.”

The wooden horses, the Egyptian bird, the swings, the little Russian mountains and other diversions engaged the attention of the company until dinner was announced.