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"Is it not strange," said Fournichon to his wife, "they are all Gascons?" "Well, what of that? The captain said they were all countrymen, and he is a Gascon. M. d'Epernon is from Toulouse." "Then you still believe it was M. d'Epernon?" "Did he not say three times the famous 'parfandious'?" Very soon the five other Gascons arrived; the number of guests was complete.
"Because it is just here, madame, that we each had a rendezvous on our arrival, and on the happy day of their entry in Paris my friends conceived an affection for the wine and the cooking of M. Fournichon. But you, how did you come to choose this place?"
Indeed, the noise was becoming a perfect storm, but all at once they heard a sound of footsteps on the little staircase which led to their room, and Madame Fournichon's voice, crying, from below, "M. de St. Maline, M. de St. Maline!" "Well!" replied the young man. "Do not go up there, I beg!" "And why not, dear Madame Fournichon? is not all the house ours to-night?" "Not the turrets."
M. Fournichon, who had heard what had passed, added, "Monsieur, you shall be master here; and all your friends will be welcome." "I did not say my friends, I said countrymen," replied the officer, haughtily. "Yes, monsieur, it was my mistake." "You will give them supper." "Certainly." "If necessary, they will sleep here." "Yes, monsieur."
While this passed at the door, all the rest were at table, where they were warmly discussing the previous quarrel. Many frankly blamed St. Maline; others abstained, seeing the frowning brow of their comrade. They did not attack with any less enthusiasm the supper of M. Fournichon, but they discussed as they ate. "As for me," said Hector de Bizan, "I know that M. de St.
"Yes, monsieur; just at present," replied the host, humiliated; "but it is not usually so." However, Dame Fournichon, like most women, was more clear-sighted than her husband, and called out, "If monsieur desires solitude, he will find it here." "Yes, my good woman, that is what I desire, at present," said the officer, who dismounted, threw the bridle to the soldier, and entered the hotel.
"What do you want?" said she to him. "Were not three whistles given from one of those windows just now?" "Yes." "Well, they were to summon me." "You?" "Yes." "On your honor?" "As a gentleman, Dame Fournichon." "Enter, then, monsieur, enter." And happy at having a client after her own heart, fit for the "Rose-tree of love," the hostess conducted Ernanton up the stairs herself.
This resolution sparkled in his eyes when he reached the door of the "Brave Chevalier." Madame Fournichon, who expected his return with anxiety, was standing trembling in the doorway.
"They are almost all half drunk," said De Loignac; "it would be a good opportunity to make them repeat their histories, only time does not permit of it." Then he added aloud, "Hola! M. Fournichon, dismiss from the room all women, children and lackeys." Lardille retired grumbling, but Militor did not move. "Did you not hear, M. Militor," said De Loignac; "to the kitchen!"
"Thus," continued De Loignac, "you have to follow me at once; your equipages and servants will remain here, M. Fournichon will take care of them: we will send for them; but now, be quick! the boats are ready." "The boats!" cried they. "Certainly; to go to the Louvre, we must go by water." "To the Louvre!" cried they, joyfully. "Cap de Bious! we are going to the Louvre."
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