Both of them were
even a little intoxicated, but they behaved very creditably. To hide the
commotion within him Muffat could only remark about the heat.
"Good heavens, how hot it is here!" he said. "How do you manage to live
in such a temperature, madame?"
And conversation was about to ensue on this topic when noisy voices were
heard at the dressing-room door. Bordenave drew back the slide over a
grated peephole of the kind used in convents. Fontan was outside with
Prulliere and Bosc, and all three had bottles under their arms and their
hands full of glasses. He began knocking and shouting out that it was
his patron saint's day and that he was standing champagne round. Nana
consulted the prince with a glance. Eh! Oh dear, yes! His Highness did
not want to be in anyone's way; he would be only too happy! But without
waiting for permission Fontan came in, repeating in baby accents:
"Me not a cad, me pay for champagne!"
Then all of a sudden he became aware of the prince's presence of which
he had been totally ignorant. He stopped short and, assuming an air of
farcical solemnity, announced:
"King Dagobert is in the corridor and is desirous of drinking the health
of His Royal Highness.
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