k, Scaevola. (He
drinks.)

HOST (to LEOCADIE, when HENRI is out of hearing). Henri is an
arrant fool--if you had only sat next to them!

LEOCADIE. Now then! no remarks of that sort.

HOST. Take my tip and be careful, you silly gutter-brat. He will kill
you one of these days.

LEOCADIE. What's up, then?

HOST. You were seen only yesterday with one of your fellows.

LEOCADIE. That was not a fellow, you blockhead; that was--

HENRI (turns round quickly). What's the matter with you? No jokes, if
you don't mind. No more whispering. No more secrets now. She is my
wife.

HOST. What did you give her for a wedding present?

LEOCADIE. Heavens! he never thinks about such things.

HENRI. Well, you shall have one this very night.

LEOCADIE. What?

SCAEVOLA and JULES. What are you going to give her?

HENRI (quite seriously). When you have finished your scene, you must
come here and see me act. (They laugh.)

HENRI. No woman ever had a more glorious wedding present. Come,
Leocadie. Good-by for the present, Prosper. I shall soon be back again.

[Exeunt HENRI and LEOCADIE.]

Enter together FRANCOIS, Vicomte de Nogeant, and ALBIN, Chevalier
de la Tremouille.

SCAEVOLA. What a contemptible braggart!

HOST. Good evening, you swine. [ALBIN starts back.]

FRANCOIS (without taking any notice). Was not that the little
Leocadie of the Porte St. Martin, who went away with Henri?

HOST. Of course it was.--If she really took great trouble she could
eventually make you remember that even you are something of a man, eh?

FRANCOIS (laughing). That is not impossible. It seems we are rather
early tonight.

HOST. In the meanwhile you can amuse yourself with your minion.

[ALBIN is on the point of flying into a passion.]

FRANCOIS. Let it pass. I told you what went on here. Bring us wine.

HOST. Ay, that I will. The time will soon come when you will be very
satisfied with Seine water.

FRANCOIS. Quite so, quite so ... but tonight I would fain ask for wine,
and the best wine into the bargain.

[HOST goes to the bar.]

ALBIN. That is really a dreadful fellow.

FRANCOIS. But just think, it's all a joke. And, withal, there are
places where you can hear similar things in real earnest.

ALBIN. Is it not forbidden?

FRANCOIS (laughs). One sees that you come from the provinces.

ALBIN. Ah! we, too, are having a bad tim