"Sapristi! I am done for. I was on the edge of success, for I certainly should have drunk it all without spilling a drop."
"But you didn't spill a drop," said Roncherolle; "the whole business went."
"I am wet through, my shirt is drenched and my cravat; what shall I do? I can't show myself in this condition."
"Well then, don't show yourself, my friend, keep out of sight. At all events, it will be dark when you leave here, and you'll only need to button your coat military fashion; that will give you the air of a hero, it will change you completely."
"But I am all wet, I am——"
"Nonsense! take a napkin and wipe yourself, and above all things don't be sulky; we came here to enjoy ourselves, and you still have to learn thirty-one ways of drinking champagne."
Saint-Arthur made no reply; he stuffed three napkins into his bosom and began to eat again.
"Deuce take it! my dear man," said Jéricourt, drinking his wine slowly, "that is what comes of trying to learn original things in order to make yourself agreeable in society; you don't always succeed."
"In fact, there are some people who never succeed," observed Roncherolle.
"I request a suspension of the lessons in drinking champagne," said Alfred; "I must dry myself before attempting anything else."