He noticed it, and a spark of defiance flashed up at the bottom of his heart.

From time to time he loudly asked if "those people there" were not abusing his ingenuousness.
"Confusion!" cried he, "Confusion to those who want me to take bladders for lanterns! The lantern may blaze out like a bomb, and carry consternation in its path!" After a series of such remarks, there was nothing left for him to do but to roll under the table, and this _denouement_ was generally expected.
But the Colonel belonged to a robust generation, accustomed to more than one kind of excess, and strong to resist pleasure as well as dangers, privations, and fatigues.

So when Madame Renault pushed back her chair, in indication that the repast was finished, Fougas arose without difficulty, gracefully offered his arm, and conducted his partner to the parlor.

His gait was a little stiff and oppressively regular, but he went straight ahead, and did not oscillate the least bit.

He took a couple of cups of coffee, and spirits in moderation, after which he began to talk in the most reasonable manner in the world.