"In a solicitor's office! Bah! there is no grease except on the backs of the chairs."[A]
[A] The chevalier asked: "Et l'on n'est grassement payé?"—The adverb literally means fatly, hence greasily.
"Will you drink a glass with me, young Basochians?"
"It is a very great honor to us, monsieur le chevalier; we will drink as long as you choose."
"That is what I call talking, sandis!—Goblets, Popelinette!—and go to the wine shop again and order some more bottles of different brands; meanwhile, we will finish these. Here, servant; take this other gold piece; and above all, do not haggle; nay, nay! to haggle is bourgeois, it is foolish! Say: 'It is for the noble and gallant Chevalier de Passedix,' and pay without a word."
The old servant went away, and Bahuchet whispered to his comrade:
"You hear—he doesn't haggle. He will pay for these duds whatever we ask."
Passedix filled the goblets; the two clerks respectfully touched the chevalier's with theirs, and he exclaimed as he looked at Plumard:
"Why, my poor boy! you don't seem to be in very good condition!"
"How so, seigneur chevalier?" rejoined the clerk, drawing himself up.