"A toast, Messieurs!" he cried, flourishing his sword.
Only the Vicomte d'Halluys and Victor saw that something unusual had taken place.
"Your friend," whispered the vicomte, "appears to be touched with a passing madness.

Look at his eyes." "What has happened ?" murmured Victor, setting down his glass.
"Bah! Monsieur le Marquis has stopped the Chevalier's allowance;" and the vicomte sighed regretfully.

From where he sat he could see the grim, motionless figure of the marquis, standing with his back to the fire.
"Fill up the goblets, Messieurs; to the brim!" The Chevalier stumbled among the fallen bottles.

He reached the head of the table.

Feverishly he poured out a glass of wine, spilling part of it.