The young actress did exactly as Roncherolle had done, and succeeded perfectly.
"It's your turn, Jéricourt."
"Do that! why that's the ass's bridge!" replied the man of letters, with a shrug.
"Well, do it then."
"No, I didn't come to dinner to play tricks."
"That's a pity," said Roncherolle, "for I am sure that monsieur must know some that we do not."
"In that case," said Saint-Arthur, filling a glass to the brim with champagne and putting it on a plate, "it's my turn; now that I have seen the thing done twice, I don't see why I shouldn't do it too; I am no more of a fool than other people."
"That's too bad, my dear; if you were, it would be a way of attracting attention!"
"Hush, Zizi! don't say nasty things, but watch; I am going to begin."
The pretty youth succeeded in raising the glass to his lips, but just as he was about to drink, he lifted the plate too high, and all the contents of the glass fell on his shirt and his cravat. Alfred cried aloud in dismay, while his three guests roared with laughter, that incident having restored Jéricourt's good humor.