"Monseigneur," exclaimed Chaudoreille, rising and standing on his tiptoes, "if you will permit me I will relate to your excellency how all this happened, for I see that Marcel will find it difficult to come to an end."
"The trembler has recovered his speech," said the big Montgéran, who could not take his eyes from Chaudoreille.
"Come, marquis, let him speak."
"Yes, yes, he will make us laugh," cried the others.
"Very well, gentlemen, since you desire it. Come, speak, you little cur; and you, Marcel, remain there to give him the lie if he attempts to deceive us."
Though the sobriquet, little cur, made Chaudoreille knit his brow, permission to speak before noblemen of high rank caused him so much pleasure that he immediately assumed a smiling expression, and commenced his speech,—
"Messeigneurs, your excellencies behold in me Loustic-Goliath de Chaudoreille, Knight of the Round Table; descended on the male side from the famous Milo of Crotona, and on the female side from the celebrated Delilah, who, sacrificing herself for her country, had the courage to cut from Samson, her lover, that which made his strength."
Shouts of laughter here interrupted the orator. "It's delightful! he's charming! He's worth his weight in gold!"
"Hang it!" said Chaudoreille, "I was sure that I only had to speak."
"In fact, descendant of Delilah," said the marquis, "what is your business?"