"Is she not? This is Bathilde, my closest friend. I suppose, of course, that you will at once fall in love with her too?"
"Oh, no! it is all over with me! You judge me ill, fair Ambroisine; I have given my heart to Miretta! For her alone do I propose henceforth to perform doughty deeds.—Sandis! what in the devil is this slipping between my legs like a lizard? Is it a man? is it an eel?"
"Don't disturb yourself, seigneur," replied Bahuchet; "I have got through. You must understand that I couldn't remain behind you; you are as tall as a giant!"
"And you are a dwarf, apparently! Ought atoms to be allowed in the crowd? Someone will crush you without noticing it, my little fellow!"
"Ouiche! I won't allow myself to be flattened out without saying beware!—I say, Plumard! do you hear this long asparagus stalk, who thinks that I am to be crushed like a grain of salt?"
Plumard was a few feet away, gazing at Bathilde, and apparently speechless with admiration.
"Plumard! Plumard! ubi es?—Ah! there he is!—Why don't you answer? What's the matter with you, pray? One would say that you were changed into a wooden man!"
Plumard simply motioned with his head, calling his comrade's attention to the fascinating girl. Whereupon Bahuchet looked at Bathilde and said, with a wink:
"Ah! famous! that's famous!—You see, Plumard, when I see such an attractive young woman, I begin by saluting her, to show my respect. Do as I do."
And Monsieur Bahuchet took off his cap to Bathilde, who paid no attention to him.