However, amidst the tinkling music of the silver, the company began to do honour to the banquet.

In the provinces, people eat very much and very noisily.

By the time the _releve_ was served, the gentlemen were all talking together; they showered kicks upon the vanquished, flattered one another, and made disparaging remarks about the absence of the marquis.

It was impossible, they said, to maintain intercourse with the nobility.

Roudier even gave out that the marquis had begged to be excused because his fear of the insurgents had given him jaundice.