CHAPTER V.THE DRAMA BEGINS.
Pierrotin's vehicle was now going down the steep incline of the valley of Saint-Brice to the inn which stands in the middle of the large village of that name, where Pierrotin was in the habit of stopping an hour to breathe his horses, give them their oats, and water them.

It was now about half-past one o'clock.
"Ha! here's Pere Leger," cried the inn-keeper, when the coach pulled up before the door.

"Do you breakfast ?" "Always once a day," said the fat farmer; "and I'll break a crust here and now." "Give us a good breakfast," cried Georges, twirling his cane in a cavalier manner which excited the admiration of poor Oscar.
But that admiration was turned to jealousy when he saw the gay adventurer pull out from a side-pocket a small straw case, from which he selected a light-colored cigar, which he proceeded to smoke on the threshold of the inn door while waiting for breakfast.
"Do you smoke ?" he asked of Oscar.
"Sometimes," replied the ex-schoolboy, swelling out his little chest and assuming a jaunty air.
Georges presented the open case to Oscar and Schinner.
"Phew!" said the great painter; "ten-sous cigars!" "The remains of those I brought back from Spain," said the adventurer.
"Do you breakfast here ?" "No," said the artist.

"I am expected at the chateau.

Besides, I took something at the Lion d'Argent just before starting." "And you ?" said Georges to Oscar.
"I have breakfasted," replied Oscar.
Oscar would have given ten years of his life for boots and straps to his trousers.