"The Lajeunesse--the Lajeunesse, the singer of all the world--ah, why did
she not say so then!" said the churl. "What would I not do for her!
Money--no, it is nothing, but the Lajeunesse, I myself would give my
horse to hear her sing."

"Tell her she can have M'sieu's horse," said the landlord, excitedly
interposing.

"Tiens, who the devil--the horse is mine! If Madame--if she will but let
me offer it to her myself!" said the agitated official. "I sing myself
--I know what singing is. I have sung in an opera--a sentinel in armour
I was. Ah, but bring me to her, and you shall see what I will do, by
grace of heaven! I will marry you if you haven't a husband," he added
with ardour to the dumfounded Madame Marie, who hurried to the adjoining
room.

An instant afterwards the official was making an oration in tangled
sentences which brought him a grateful smile and a hand-clasp from
Madelinette. She could not prevent him from kissing her hand, she could
not refrain from laughing when, outside the room, he tried to kiss Madame
Marie. She was astounded, however, an hour later, to see him still at
the inn door, marching up and down, a whip in his hand. She looked at
him reproachfully, indignantly.

"Why are you not on the way?" she asked.

"Your man, that M'sieu' Havel, has rode on; I am to drive," he said.
"Yes, Madame, it is my everlasting honour that I am to drive you. Havel
has a good horse, the horse has a good rider, you have a good servant in