My servants waited on the table; I had not
yielded to the system of a general table for all of us, which would
not have pleased my servants any more than myself. Curiosity led them
all to come in and see us dining together. - "Brother," says Velu to
me, "don't these people eat with you?" (He saw the table set for only
four persons.) I reply: " Brother, that would not be any more
agreeable to them than to myself. Ask them." - He ate little, drank
like an ogre, and was talkative about his amours; getting carried away
he got so close to being naughty that he upset my wife, without
actually going to far. Apropos of the Revolution, and the danger we
incurred, he said innocently: "Don't I run as much risk as anybody? It
is my opinion that, in three months, I shall have my head off! But we
must all take our chance!" - Now and then, he indulged in sans-
culottisms. He seized the servant's hand, who changed his plate :
"Brother, I beg you to take my place, and let me wait on you in my
turn " - He drank the cordials, and finally left, pleased with his
reception. - Returning to the inn, he stays until nine o'clock at
night and stuffs himself, but is not intoxicated.
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