"Yes, yes," replied all the others, "it is really he, Master
Thibaut, the rector."

It was, in fact, the rector and all the dignitaries of the
university, who were marching in procession in front of the
embassy, and at that moment traversing the Place. The students
crowded into the window, saluted them as they passed
with sarcasms and ironical applause. The rector, who was
walking at the head of his company, had to support the first
broadside; it was severe.

"Good day, monsieur le recteur! Holà hé! good day there!"

"How does he manage to be here, the old gambler? Has
he abandoned his dice?"

"How he trots along on his mule! her ears are not so long
as his!"

"Holà hé! good day, monsieur le recteur Thibaut! ~Tybalde
aleator~! Old fool! old gambler!"

"God preserve you! Did you throw double six often last
night?"

"Oh! what a decrepit face, livid and haggard and drawn
with the love of gambling and of dice!"

"Where are you bound for in that fashion, Thibaut, ~Tybalde
ad dados~, with your back turned to the university, and trotting