But earlier in the day.

With letters--letters of importance!" And bestowing something like a wink of confidence on us, he drew himself up, looked sternly at the stable-folk, patted himself twice on the chest, and finally twirled his moustaches, and smirked at the girl above, who was chewing straws.
I thought it likely enough that we might find it hard to get rid of him.

But this was not so.

After listening with gratification to our repeated thanks, he bowed with the same grotesque flourish, and marched off as grave as a Spaniard, humming-- "Ce petit homme tant joli! Qui toujours cause et toujours rit, Qui toujours baise sa mignonne, Dieu gard' de mal ce petit homme!" On our going in, the landlord met us politely, but with curiosity, and a simmering of excitement also in his manner.

"From Paris, my lords ?" he asked, rubbing his hands and bowing low.