"Bravo, Monsieur Ménard! spoken like a true boon companion! But as to Frédéric, he is unworthy to sit at our table. A little more of this hare, Monsieur Ménard?"
"With pleasure, monsieur le baron."
"We must be philosophical—when we can't help it; but true philosophy consists in making the most of life, in enjoying one's self whenever the opportunity offers. Dulce est desipere in loco, says Horace. Eh, Monsieur Ménard?"
"Yes, monsieur le baron; but Juvenal advises infrequent indulgence in pleasures: Voluptatis commendat rarior usus."
"Juvenal probably had a weak stomach."
"That is very possible, monsieur le baron."
"Another glass, Monsieur Ménard; to the memory of Anacreon, Epicurus, Horace, and all good livers!"
"We forget Lucullus, monsieur le baron."
"True; another bumper, to Lucullus!"
By dint of drinking to the memory of the ancients, the two were beginning to lose all memory of the present.