"Yes," said Dubourg, "we have arranged to pass several days in this delightful spot."
As he spoke, he touched Madame Chambertin's knee with his own, whereupon she swallowed a chicken bone to cover an imprudent sigh. Ménard bowed, and Chambertin rejoined:
"I have but one regret, and that is that you did not bring your friend the Comte de—the Comte du—you know whom I mean."
"Oh! he's an original," said Dubourg; "he shuns society. I left him my berlin and my servants, and brought only my two little Poles."
"Ah! they are Poles, are they? They are dapper little fellows; I took them for Cossacks."
At that moment, Lunel appeared and informed Dubourg that his servants were raising the deuce in the kitchen and refused to answer any questions.
"Parbleu! I should think so! they don't understand French."
"Allow the baron's people to do as they choose," said Chambertin, "and try to understand their signs."
"Very pretty signs they are," muttered Lunel; "they don't do anything but stick their fingers in the sauces and wipe 'em on their breeches!"
The high spirits of Dubourg and the learned Ménard enlivened the whole company. They talked and laughed and ate and drank. But whenever Dubourg spoke, Chambertin looked about and said: