They arrived at the mayor’s office. The marquis was pacing the main hall with an angry expression; the young men were chatting with the ladies; Monsieur Berlingue had already made several epigrams upon the bridegroom’s delay; the old annuitant did not utter a word, he saw in the future only the repast that he was to enjoy; and the Chevalier de Tantignac observed, to pacify Monsieur de la Pincerie:
"At the wedding of a cousin of mine, the bridegroom kept us waiting five minutes only; but when he arrived his betrothed had married another man, to teach him to be more prompt in the future."
But Robineau appeared, followed by his two companions.
"Monsieur de la Roche-Noire," cried the marquis, tapping the floor with his cane, "do you know that it isn’t decent to keep people like us waiting?"
"My dear father-in-law, it isn’t——"
"Whom do you think you are marrying? Do you imagine that you are marrying a mere plebeian?"
"No, certainly not, monsieur le marquis; but I——"
"But you deserve that I should not bestow my daughter’s hand upon you, to teach you to keep us baying at the moon for an hour."
"My most honored father-in-law, here are my witnesses. Ask your brother and Monsieur Férulus, and they will tell you that if I did not arrive earlier it was not for lack of desire to do so."
"That is very true," said Férulus; "it was not the desire that was lacking."