Monsieur Zeyhyrus, who chanced to be near him, smiled.
“Enchanted to find you are pleased with my performance, Monsieur Tom!” he said.“Your performance, Chevalier!” cried Tom. “You don't mean to say you prepared the supper?”
“Mais oui, mon cher,” said Zephyrus, proudly. “I, and no one else. Don't you know I am Lady Thicknesse's cook?”
“Give you my word I wasn't aware of it till this moment,” cried Tom. “I was told you are a cordon bleu.”
“And so I am,” said Zephyrus. “But don't you understand that a cordon bleu means a first-rate cook?—that's my description.”
For a few moments Tom seemed lost in astonishment. He then exclaimed:
“The guv'nor's completely taken me in!”
The company did not seem inclined to leave the supper table, and no wonder, considering the excellence of the repast and the abundant supply of champagne.
But Mr. Higgins, who was very careful, thought they had sat long enough, and moved off to the ballroom, where the music again struck up, and dancing recommenced with even more spirit than before.
The only person who looked discontented was Tom Tankard. He had drunk a good deal of champagne, and it had got into his head and made him rather quarrelsome. He felt jealous and angry at the evident preference shown by Clotilde for Monsieur Zephyrus.