"Yes, monsieur, he is married, and here are two other children who call him father, besides this great lad behind.

Advance, Militor, and bow to M.
de Loignac." A lad of sixteen, vigorous and agile, with an incipient mustache, stepped forward.
"They are my wife's sons, monsieur." "In Heaven's name, your card!" cried De Loignac.
"Lardille!" cried the Gascon to his wife, "come and help me." Lardille searched the pouch and pockets of her husband, but uselessly.
"We must have lost it!" she cried.
"Then I arrest you." The man turned pale, but said, "I am Eustache de Miradoux, and M.de St.
Maline is my patron." "Oh!" said De Loignac, a little mollified at this name, "well, search again." They turned to their pockets again, and began to re-examine them.
"Why, what do I see there, on the sleeve of that blockhead ?" said De Loignac.
"Yes, yes!" cried the father.

"I remember, now, Lardille sewed it on." "That you might carry something, I suppose, you great lazy fellow." The card was looked at and found all right, and the family passed on in the same order as before.
The fourth man advanced and gave his name as Chalabre.

It was found correct, and he also entered.
Then came M.de Carmainges.

He got off his horse and presented his card, while the page hid his face by pretending to adjust the saddle.
"The page belongs to you ?" asked De Loignac.
"You see, he is attending to my horse." "Pass, then." "Quick, my master," said the page.
Behind these men the door was closed, much to the discontent of the crowd.