I do not wish to interfere with your enjoyment, and nothing is so disagreeable for those at table as a looker-on who is not eating with them." The baron accordingly sat down in the arm-chair rolled up for him by the servant, beside Zerbine and opposite the marquis, who helped him to some of the partridge he had been carving, and filled his wine-glass for him; all without asking any questions as to what brought him there, or even hinting at it.

But he felt sure that it must be something of importance that had caused the usually reserved and retiring young nobleman to take such a step as this.
"Do you like this red wine best or the other ?" asked the marquis.

"As for me, I drink some of both, so that there may be no jealous feeling between them." "I prefer the red wine, thank you," de Sigognac said, with a smile, "and will add a little water to it.

I am very temperate by nature and habit, and mingle a certain devotion to the nymphs with my worship at the shrine of Bacchus, as the ancients had it.

But it was not for feasting and drinking that I was guilty of the indiscretion of intruding upon you at this unseemly hour.