"
"You are excused, Le Gardeur." Bigot spoke very courteously to him,
much as he disliked the idea of his companionship with Philibert.
"We must all return by the time the Cathedral bells chime noon.
Take one parting cup before you go, Le Gardeur, and prevail on
Colonel Philibert to do the same, or he will not praise our
hospitality, I fear."
"Not one drop more this day, were it from Jove's own poculum!" Le
Gardeur repelled the temptation more readily as he felt a twitch on
his sleeve from the hand of Philibert.
"Well, as you will, Le Gardeur; we have all had enough and over, I
dare say. Ha! ha! Colonel Philibert rather puts us to the blush,
or would were not our cheeks so well-painted in the hues of rosy
Bacchus."
Philibert, with official courtesy, bade adieu to the Intendant and
the company. A couple of valets waited upon Le Gardeur, whom they
assisted to bathe and dress. In a short time he left the Chateau
almost sobered, and wholly metamorphosed into a handsome, fresh
chevalier. A perverse redness about the eyes alone remained, to
tell the tale of the last night's debauch.
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