"I do not understand," said Monsieur Bonticu, arching his eyebrows. "I am still married."
"I too," said Monsieur Pantan, with a grim smile, "am married."
"You? Pantan? Monsieur jests."
"If Monsieur will look in the newspaper of to-day," said Monsieur Pantan, dryly, "he will see an announcement of my marriage yesterday to Madame Marselet of Pergieux."
There was astonishment and alarm in the face of the undertaker. Then reverie seemed to wrap him round. The scurrying of footsteps, the bumble of voices, in the rooms over the shop aroused him. His face was tranquil again as he spoke.
"Will Monsieur and his seconds do me the honor of calling on me day after to-morrow?" he asked.
"As you wish," replied Monsieur Pantan, a gleam of satisfaction in his eye.
Punctual to the second, Monsieur Pantan and his friends presented themselves at the shop of Monsieur Bonticu. His face, they observed, was first worried, then smiling, then worried again.
"Will to-morrow at dawn be convenient for Monsieur?" inquired the butcher, Duffon.
Monsieur Bonticu gestured regret with his shoulders, and said: