"I am afraid—I am shivering—I shall take cold.—Go, tell the bath attendant to bring me some hot water."
In those days, persons who indulged in baths had not at their hand faucets with which to heat or cool the water at pleasure; bath keepers have progressed, like other people; but at that time the attendant brought water in a pail to put in the bath tub.
Plumard went out to perform his master's commission.
"The fire's out," said the attendant, "there's no more hot water; your tall, withered master has been in the bath more than an hour, and the best thing he can do is to go away; it will take too long to start up the fire again."
"Well-managed baths these, on my word! It's evident enough that Master Hugonnet is drinking and that his daughter is away from home!"
And Plumard returned to the chevalier, who was beginning to shiver.
"I regret to announce, monseigneur, that there is no more hot water in the establishment."
"No more hot water? Cadédis! what does this mean? are they laughing at me?"
"No, my honored master; but the attendant has allowed the fire to go out that heats the water for the baths. Master Hugonnet has been drinking so much with some friends that it is impossible to obtain anything from him!"
"O fair Ambroisine! it is evident that you pass all your time with a countess! These baths are being managed wretchedly; it will be very hot when I bathe here again!—And that rascally page does not return!—I cannot pass the whole day in the water, however; it weakens me terribly!"