"
"As he deserves to be, for his insult to the gentlemen of Beauce,"
insinuated Bigot, leaning over to his angry guest, at the same time
winking good-humoredly to Varin. "Come, now, De Beauce, friends
all, amantium irae, you know--which is Latin for love--and I will
sing you a stave in praise of this good wine, which is better than
Bacchus ever drank." The Intendant rose up, and holding a brimming
glass in his hand, chanted in full, musical voice a favorite ditty
of the day, as a ready mode of restoring harmony among the company:
"'Amis! dans ma bouteille,
Voila le vin de France!
C'est le bon vin qui danse ici,
C'est le bon vin qui danse.
Gai lon la!
Vive la lirette!
Des Filettes
Il y en aura!'
Vivent les Filettes! The girls of Quebec--first in beauty, last in
love, and nowhere in scorn of a gallant worthy of them!" continued
Bigot. "What say you, De Pean? Are you not prepared to toast the
belles of Quebec?"
"That I am, your Excellency!" De Pean was unsteady upon his feet,
as he rose to respond to the Intendant's challenge.
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