Whereupon a round table was rolled up in front of the fire, and the queerest of dinners was improvised thereon.

Zoe ran down to the gardener's, he having cooked a mess of cabbage soup in case Madame should not dine at Orleans before her arrival.

Madame, indeed, had forgotten to tell him what he was to get ready in the letter she had sent him.

Fortunately the cellar was well furnished.

Accordingly they had cabbage soup, followed by a piece of bacon.