“Ah! you fox, you have your reasons for saying so,” retorted Malvina, tossing off her champagne.
The tutor, who did not expect that reply, scratched his nose and called for truffles.
The crash of a breaking plate interrupted the conversation; Jasmin, while trying to remove his young master’s plate, had dropped it on the floor; it was the fourth which had met that fate at his hands, together with two bottles and a carafe.
“I say, is that old fellow Jocrisse?” cried Malvina, with a roar of laughter.
“Such a valet de chambre must be very expensive!” said Monfréville, with a smile.
“Excuse me, my dear master,” said Jasmin, who turned scarlet at each new mishap caused by his awkwardness. “You see, it is a long while since I have waited at table; but I shall soon get used to it—it is simply a matter of renewing an old habit.”
“The devil!” said Daréna, “if he means to go on until he gets used to it, it will be very fine!”
“But why do you stand behind me, my good Jasmin? It is altogether too fatiguing for a man of your years. Sit in the corner yonder; I will call you if I should need you!”
“The idea of it!” said Jasmin, trying to stand erect. “Does monsieur think that I do not know my duty? I will not quit my post, monsieur; I will die first!”
“In other words, all the landlord’s crockery will die!” said Daréna, laughingly.—”Honor to unlucky pluck!” he added aloud, raising his glass.