ster than a man, and rather be dead than
either!" was the reply of Le Gardeur. "How soon, think you, will brandy
kill a man, De Pean?" asked he abruptly, after a pause of silence.

"It will never kill you, Le Gardeur, if you take it neat at Master
Menut's. It will restore you to life, vigor, and independence of man and
woman. I take mine there when I am hipped as you are, Le Gardeur. It is
a specific for every kind of ill-fortune,--I warrant it will cure and
never kill you."

They crossed the Place d'Armes. Nothing in sight was moving except the
sentries who paced slowly like shadows up and down the great gateway of
the Castle of St. Louis.

"It is still and solemn as a church-yard here," remarked De Pean; "all
the life of the place is down at Menut's! I like the small hours," added
he as the chime of the Recollets ceased. "They are easily counted,
and pass quickly, asleep or awake. Two o'clock in the morning is
the meridian of the day for a man who has wit to wait for it at
Menut's!--these small hours are all that are worth reckoning in a man's
life!"

Without consenting to accompany De Pean, Le Gardeur suffered himself to
be led by him. He knew the company that awaited him there--the wildest
and most dissolute gallants of the city and garrison were usually
assembled there at this hour.

The famous old hostelry was kept by Master Menut, a burly Breton
who prided himself on keeping everything full and plenty about his
house--tables full, tankards full, guests full, and himself very full.
The house was to-night lit up with unusual brilliance, and was full
of company--Cadet, Varin, Mercier, and a crowd of the friends and
associates of the Grand Company. Gambling, drinking, and conversing in
the loudest strain on such topics as interested their class, were the
amusements of the night. The vilest thoughts, uttered in the low argot
of Paris, were much affected by them. They felt a pleasure in this
sort of protest against the extreme refinement of society, just as the
collegians of Oxford, trained beyond their natural capacity in morals,
love to fall into slang and, like Prince Hal, talk to every tinker in
his own tongue.

De Pean and Le Gardeur were welcomed with open arms at the Taverne de
Menut. A dozen brimming glasses were offered them on every side. De Pean
drank moderately. "I have to win back my losses of last night," said he,
"and must keep my head clear." Le Gardeur, however, refused nothing
that was offered