The two bottles of Château-Léoville were brought, and Dodichet, having tasted it, exclaimed with the liveliest satisfaction:
"Good! this can fairly be called wine; and it's delicious, too! an intoxicating bouquet!"
"Will you have some water in it?" said Monsieur Mirotaine, offering him a carafe.
"Water in such wine as this? why, it would be downright profanation! I most earnestly hope that no one will think of spoiling it with water.—Miflorès, my dear count, just taste this wine! It will make you eloquent."
"If it does make him eloquent, it will surprise me greatly," said Monsieur Brid'oison to Callé, who was ogling Aldegonde, who was scrutinizing Miflorès, who was gazing in admiration at his brimming glass.
"How they do eat and drink!" thought Monsieur Mirotaine, stifling a sigh; "but I don't see that this supposed marrying man tries to get acquainted with my daughter. To make up for it, the commission merchant in sugar is very loquacious; he impresses me more or less as a blagueur. Mon Dieu! suppose that my dinner is thrown away!"
Dodichet kept the claret in circulation, but was always careful to help himself first. Monsieur Miflorès succeeded at last in saying:
"Yes, it's a very good wine."
Callé outdid all the rest by exclaiming:
"This wine is perfect nectar!"