But, alas! he was disappointed; for at that moment Denecker introduced the topic of wine, and, lauding the generous juice of the grape, expressed surprise at the extraordinary sobriety of his host.

With this he redoubled his attack on the bottle, and was in some degree, though less vigorously, seconded by Gustave.

De Vlierbeck's agony became more and more intense as he saw the rosy fluid sink and sink in the second bottle, until at length the last drop was drained into the merchant's glass.
"Yes," said Denecker, "your wine is both old and good; but I have always found, in tasting liquors, that if we don't change them we lose their flavor.

I take it for granted that you have a first-rate cellar, if I may judge by your first samples; so I propose that we now try a bottle of your _Chateau-margaux_; and, if we have time, we can finish with a bottle of _hochheimer_.

I never drink _champagne_: it is a bad liquor for wine-drinkers." As the last words fell from Denecker, poor De Vlierbeck grew deadly pale, as his frightened spirit went rummaging through the cracks and crannies of his brain for some inspiration or expedient which might extricate him from his deep perplexity.
"_Chateau-margaux ?_" inquired he, with a calm smile.