"Travelling? And will he soon be back?"
"He'll come back when he pleases. Do you think monseigneur needs your permission in order to go travelling?"
"That was not what I wished to say, monsieur, but I am in such haste to see monsieur le marquis, to speak to him."
"You can see him when he comes back, whenever monseigneur is willing to receive you."
The insolent porter returned to his lodge, took his glass and his fork, and resumed a copious breakfast, without paying any further attention to the young student, who remained in the court, heaving big sighs, as he said,—
"He's not in Paris; how unfortunate I am."
Ten minutes later Urbain softly approached the porter's lodge, and said to him in a supplicating tone,—
"Monsieur, can you not tell me where the marquis has gone?"
"What? Are you still there?" answered the porter without turning his head. "Can't you leave me to eat my breakfast in peace? I tell you that monseigneur is travelling. There are some people who are so stubborn; they all say the same thing, 'I wish to see monseigneur,' and they bother my head from morning till night."
Urbain would not be repulsed; he knew the customs of Paris, and took out his purse, in which he had put several crowns, and made it chink in his hand. Then the porter deigned to turn towards him, and said to him, a little more politely,—