In this wise the assault would continue for more than another hour, and again would the different courses of the _menu_ appear in procession, to be engulfed amidst the crunching of jaws, the stifling heat, and the growing nausea.
II.

THE "ORDINARY." WHEN Pierre and M.de Guersaint got outside they began walking slowly amidst the ever-growing stream of the Sundayfied crowd.

The sky was a bright blue, the sun warmed the whole town, and there was a festive gaiety in the atmosphere, the keen delight that attends those great fairs which bring entire communities into the open air.

When they had descended the crowded footway of the Avenue de la Grotte, and had reached the corner of the Plateau de la Merlasse, they found their way barred by a throng which was flowing backward amidst a block of vehicles and stamping of horses.

"There is no hurry, however," remarked M.de Guersaint.