loud, so that if he poured anything into it they might have sworn it was
done inadvertently. And in fact no one took any notice.

Pierre, without observing it, was drinking a good deal. Nervous and
fretted, he every minute raised to his lips the tall crystal funnel
where the bubbles were dancing in the living, translucent fluid. He let
the wine slip very slowly over his tongue, that he might feel the little
sugary sting of the fixed air as it evaporated.

Gradually a pleasant warmth glowed in his frame. Starting from the
stomach as a centre, it spread to his chest, took possession of his
limbs, and diffused itself throughout his flesh, like a warm and
comforting tide, bringing pleasure with it. He felt better now, less
impatient, less annoyed, and his determination to speak to his brother
that very evening faded away; not that he thought for a moment of
giving it up, but simply not to disturb the happy mood in which he found
himself.

Beausire presently rose to propose a toast. Having bowed to the company,
he began:

"Most gracious ladies and gentlemen, we have met to do honour to a happy
event which has befallen one of our friends. It used to be said that
Fortune was blind, but I believe that she is only short-sighted or
tricksy, and that she has lately bought a good pair of glasses which
enabled her to discover in the town of Havre the son of our worthy
friend Roland, skipper of the Pearl."

Every one cried bravo and clapped their hands, and the elder Roland rose
to reply. After clearing his throat, for it felt thick and his tongue