"A supper! I have one at your service."
"What! for everybody?" asked Lepré.
"For everybody, citizen. I can offer you three courses, with your dessert, and something for a heeltap."
While speaking he drew from the pockets of the carriage a half-dozen packets, and, rolling his tongue around his mouth, proceeded to open them; they contained provisions of every kind, properly enveloped and tied with care.
"Won't we have a feast?" said Lepré, who had asked the cattle-merchant, in his inventory, "my friend, what is your name?"
"Barnau."
"Good, Mr. Barnau; but what good care you take of yourself."
"How can a man be at his ease," said the fat merchant, with a certain pride, "if he can't eat the best of everything? However, these gentlemen and mademoiselle can judge of my victuals."
Grugel turned to Gontran, and gave him a significant look.
"Truly," said he smiling, and in an under-voice, "here are the grains of gold you looked for."