"Hush! I have given you the most agreeable place; perform your duties gracefully, and do not grumble."
The La Pincerie family had promised to reach the château in time for dinner, and about four o’clock the wicker and oilcloth vehicle drove into the courtyard. The father, the uncle, and the two ladies alighted from it; then they took out a multitude of boxes and bundles, and Monsieur de la Pincerie’s rifle, which was so long that it resembled a fowling-piece. Robineau attempted to hurry forward to meet his guests; but at the sight of his future bride his emotion was so great that he dropped into a chair, saying:
"That woman deprives me of the use of my legs. What will it be when I am really her husband?"
Alfred and Edouard offered their hands to the ladies; but at sight of Alfred, Mademoiselle Cornélie, assuming her grand and haughty air, hastily took Edouard’s arm. On her side, the languorous Eudoxie, who had not been satisfied with the young poet’s conduct, seemed to have determined to transfer to Alfred the sentiments which she had manifested for Edouard.
Monsieur le marquis was already intent upon his rifle. Uncle Mignon was ordered to attend to the transportation of the boxes, so that his nieces’ dresses might not receive too much of a shaking. Robineau, who had succeeded in recovering the use of his legs, came forward to receive the company, and escorted them to the salon on the ground floor, saying to Mademoiselle de la Pincerie:
"Pray, come and embellish this abode, of which you will soon be lady and mistress."
But the ladies did not choose to stop in the salon until they had visited the apartments assigned to them and had readjusted their clothes, which they said were disarranged by the drive. Thereupon Monsieur Férulus, who had greeted each member of the family with a honey-sweet expression, came forward and said:
"I shall have the honor of escorting the ladies."
"You, monsieur?" said Eudoxie; "it is very gallant of you, no doubt; but a servant would be much more suitable, for we may have to ask for innumerable things for our toilet, and you understand that it would be unpleasant to ask you for them."
"That is the most perfect logic," replied Férulus with a bow.—Thereupon Robineau called François and said to him: