"Good! otherwise, I would save you the trouble of saying adieu to me.—By the way, Cédrille, if you would, you might take me to Rue Saint-Jacques this evening. I will come out, if I can, at nightfall."
"I should like to, cousin; I will wait for you in the street."
At that moment a middle-aged woman came to Miretta and told her to follow her.
While the girl, with an au revoir to her companion, returned to the house, a servant wearing a handsome livery with heavy gold lace approached the Béarnais peasant and courteously invited him to come to the servants' quarters and refresh himself.
Cédrille returned with interest all the servant's salutations, and followed him, crying:
"Jarni! that isn't to be refused, monsieur! I shall be glad to take something, and I would even eat a bit, with your permission."
"You shall have whatever you may wish," replied the valet, with a smile.
"Well, well!" said Cédrille to himself; "this reconciles me to Paris and makes me forget this morning's battle."
XIII
THE LOUP DE MER WINE SHOP
Cédrille found a large company in the offices: footmen, coachmen, lackeys, scullions, and household servants vied with one another in being kind to the new-comer, who had been commended to them by their young mistress and was not there as a competitor for her favor; for they knew that the peasant was to return to his province as soon as he should have recovered from the fatigues of his journey. That was an additional reason why they should give him a cordial welcome.