agnificent apartment on the first
floor, with stables and carriage houses."

_The Porter_--The apartment of Monsieur le Marquis?

_Poirier_--You have said it, Francois.

_The Porter_--But Monsieur le Marquis has not given the order.

_Poirier_--Who is the master here, donkey? Who owns this mansion?

_The Porter_--You, Monsieur.

_Poirier_--Then do what I tell you without arguing.

_The Porter_--Yes, Monsieur. [_Enter Vatel_.]

_Poirier_--Go, Francois. [_Exit Porter_.] Come in, Monsieur Vatel: you
are getting up a big dinner for to-morrow?

_Vatel_--Yes, Monsieur, and I venture to say that the menu would not be
disowned by my illustrious ancestor himself. It is really a work of art,
and Monsieur Poirier will be astonished.

_Poirier_--Have you the menu with you?

_Vatel_--No, Monsieur, it is being copied; but I know it by heart.

_Poirier_--Then recite it to me.

_Vatel_--Le potage aux ravioles a l'Italienne et le potage a l'orge a la
Marie Stuart.

_Poirier_--You will replace these unknown concoctions by a good meat
soup, with some vegetables on a plate.

_Vatel_--What, Monsieur?

_Poirier_--I mean it. Go on.

_Vatel_--Releve. La carpe du Rhin a la Lithuanienne, les poulardes a la
Godard--le filet de boeuf braise aux raisins a la Napolitaine, le jambon
de Westphalie, rotie madere.

_Poirier_--Here is a simpler and far more sensible fish course: brill
with caper sauce--then Bayonne ham with spinach, and a savory stew of
bird, with well-browned rabbit.

_Vatel_--But, Monsieur Poirier--I will never consent.

_Poirier_--I am master--do you hear? Go on.

_Vatel_--Entrees. Les filets de volaille a la concordat--les croustades
de truffe garnies de foies a la royale, le faison etoffe a la
Montpensier, les perdreaux rouges farcis a la bohemienne.

_Poirier_--In place of these side dishes we will have nothing at all,
and we will go at once to the roast,--that is the only essential.

_Vatel_--That is against the precepts of art.

_Poirier_--I'll take the blame of that: let us have your roasts.

_Vatel_--It is not worth while, Monsieur: my ancestor would have run his
sword through his body for a less affront. I offer my resignation.

_Poirier_--And I was about to ask for it, my good friend; but as one has
eight days to replace a servant--

_Vatel_--A servant, Monsieur? I am an artist!

_Poirier_--I will fill your place by a woman. But in the mean time, as
you still have eight days in my service, I