become one of the mayors of Paris,--to Monsieur Minard and his wife!"

After five minutes' general conversation Thuillier rose and said:--

"Messieurs, To the King and the royal family! I add nothing; the toast
says all."

"To the election of my brother!" said Mademoiselle Thuillier a moment
later.

"Now I'll make you laugh," whispered la Peyrade in Flavie's ear.

And he rose.

"To Woman!" he said; "that enchanting sex to whom we owe our
happiness,--not to speak of our mothers, our sisters, and our wives!"

This toast excited general hilarity, and Colleville, already somewhat
gay, exclaimed:--

"Rascal! you have stolen my speech!"

The mayor then rose; profound silence reigned.

"Messieurs, our institutions! from which come the strength and
grandeur of dynastic France!"

The bottles disappeared amid a chorus of admiration as to the
marvellous goodness and delicacy of their contents.