"But what certainty have you ?" "You'll see what a fine dessert I have prepared for you.

But please be modest.

There come the Minards; let me pipe to them.

Bring them out here, and then disappear yourself." After the first salutations, la Peyrade was careful to keep close to the mayor, and presently at an opportune moment he drew him aside to say:-- "Monsieur le maire, a man of your political importance doesn't come to bore himself in a house of this kind without an object.

I don't want to fathom your motives--which, indeed, I have no right to do--and my part in this world is certainly not to mingle with earthly powers; but please pardon my apparent presumption, and deign to listen to a piece of advice which I shall venture to give you.