Excuse me, Monsieur Pelisson, if I am not of the same opinion as you; but take my advice, monseigneur, send again a message to this _concierge_,--he is a worthy man, but do not carry it yourself." "I will think of it," said Fouquet; "besides, we have all the night before us." "Do not reckon too much on time; were the hours we have twice as many as they are, they would not be too much," replied Pelisson; "it is never a fault to arrive too soon." "Adieu!" said the superintendent; "come with me, Pelisson.

Gourville, I commend my guests to your care." And he set off.

The Epicureans did not perceive that the head of the school had left them; the violins continued playing all night long..