The glass was poured out, and a double row of pearls was formed on the surface of the Coignac.
"It is delicious; I say it is in the Costico Barbaro," observed Fifine.
"Well, gentlemen," resumed Bariole, "shall we leave a drop for the Capuchins? Fill, I drink to you. Here's to you my men; here we are all in perfect harmony, and yet we must die some day! It is so pleasant to agree when friends meet! Ah! my God, yes we must die, and that pains me, and yet we have all toil and trouble on this earth; it is too much for me, there is not a minute when the idea does not pass through my mind; but let us live honestly, that is the main thing, and then we can always walk with our heads up:—Let us not be led into temptation. In my case, die when I may, no one can reproach me with wronging them of the value of a pin's head. But what leads you here at this hour, my children? Not for my girls; they are all quiet; if you want a sample, look at her (pointing to Fifine.) But, by the by, Jules, what have you done with Melie?"
"I'll tell you presently; give us a candle."
"I will bet you want Caffin. Good riddance; I assure you he is a regular fancy man."
"And a woman thumper, too!" added Fifine.
"We don't often see the colour of his blunt," said Bariole. "See, Jules, on this slate is the expense and earnings of his wife; she cannot get enough for the fellow. If Paris could be cleared of such vagabonds, we should be better off." She offered to lead me to the pensioner's chamber, but as I knew the way as well as she did, I declined the offer. "The second door," she said, "with the key in it." I could not mistake, and entering the room told Caffin he was my prisoner.
"Well! well! what's the row?" said he, waking; "what, is it you, Jules, who have nabbed me?"
"What do you mean? I am no conjuror, and if you had not been snitched, I should not have come to disturb your sleep."
