The commissioner of provisions was overwhelmed with questions, and he soon related all he had heard; then, interrupting himself, according to his usual habit, and recognizing the young officer, he cried out:
"Oh! this is the gentleman I had the honor of seeing at Anse."
"The same," replied the soldier.
"Delighted to meet you again," said Lepré. "Whatever you may think of me, I am the born friend of all the military. I should have had to serve myself if they had not found a substitute for me."
He was interrupted by Mademoiselle Athénaïs, who just perceived that he was quite wet.
"It is this abominable fog," said he, while wiping the water off with his handkerchief.
"But people don't come into a carriage in such a condition," replied mademoiselle, in a discontented way. "When you are covered with fog, you might as well remain out."
"To dry one's self?" asked Lepré, laughing. "Great goodness, I had enough of it; then my coachman was drunk, and just missed turning the wagon over into the river."
"The deuce!" said Gontran.