wits were not always particularly
sharp, was questioning old Jean-Jean about the life, the habits, and the
rules in the hospital.

"The nun said to Massouligny in consternation: 'Oh! oh! you will make
her ill; pray do not make her laugh like that, Monsieur. Oh!
Monsieur....' Then she got up and rushed at Herbon to take a full glass
out of his hands which he was hastily emptying down la Putois' throat,
while the priest shook with laughter, and said to the Sister: 'Never
mind, just this once, it will not hurt her. Do leave them alone.'

"After the two fowls they ate the duck, which was flanked by the three
pigeons and the blackbird, and then the goose appeared, smoking,
golden-colored, and diffusing a warm odor of hot, browned fat meat. La
Paumelle who was getting lively, clapped her hands; la Jean-Jean left
off answering the Baron's numerous questions, and la Putois uttered
grunts of pleasure, half cries and half sighs, like little children do
when one shows them sweets. 'Allow me to take charge of this animal,'
the _Cure_ said. 'I understand these sort of operations better than most
people.' 'Certainly, Monsieur l'Abbe,' and the Sister said: 'How would
it be to open the window a little; they are too warm, and I am afraid
they will be ill.'

"I turned to Marchas: 'Open the window for a minute.' He did so, the
cold outer air as it came in, made the candles flare, and the smoke
from the goose, which the _Cure_ was scientifically carving, with a
table napkin round his neck, whirl about. We watched him doing it,
without speaking now, for we were interested in his attractive
handiwork, and seized with renewed appetite at the sight of that
enormous golden-colored bird, whose limbs fell one after another into
the brown gravy at the bottom of the dish. And at that moment, in the
midst of that greedy silence which kept us all attentive, the distant
report of a shot came in at the open window.

* * * * *

"I started to my feet so quickly, that my chair fell down behind me, and
I shouted: 'Mount, all of you! You, Marchas, will take two men and go
and see what it is. I shall expect you back here in five minutes.' And
while the three riders went off at full gallop through the night, I got
into the saddle with my three remaining hussars, in front of the steps
of the villa, while the _Cure_, the Sister and the three old women
showed their frightened faces at the window.

"We heard nothing more, ex