"With me?' I said, amazed. On public business?"
He smiled in a sickly way, but stuck to his text. "Even so, Monsieur," he said. "There are such great changes, and--and so great need of advice."
"That I ought not to wonder at M. Doury seeking it at Saux?"
"Even so, Monsieur."
I did not try to hide my contempt and amusement; but shrugged my shoulders, and looked at the Curé.
"Well," I said, after a moment of silence, "and what is it? Have you been selling bad wine? Or do you want the number of courses limited by Act of the States General? Or----"
"Monsieur," he said, drawing himself up with an attempt at dignity, "this is no time for jesting. In the present crisis inn-keepers have as much at stake as, with reverence, the noblesse; and deserted by those who should lead them----"
"What, the inn-keepers?" I cried.
He grew as red as a beetroot. "M. le Vicomte understands that I mean the people," he said stiffly. "Who deserted, I say, by their natural leaders----"
"For instance?"