ur
dancer. Are we rivals with the gypsy lass, cousin?"

Gonzague looked urbanely and yet gravely at his impudent kinsman. "You
must look for love elsewhere," he said, decisively. "I have reasons,
though not such reasons as yours; but you will oblige me."

Chavernay laughed contentedly. "My faith! there are plenty of pretty
women in the world, and plenty of ugly men, as it would seem. I have
brought you some friends of yours."

He made a signal as he spoke, and Cocardasse and Passepoil, descending
from their post upon the bridge, advanced towards the brilliant group,
bowing grotesquely as they did so, with their big hats in their hands and
their long rapiers tilting up their ragged cloaks. All the party gazed in
amazement at the whimsical apparitions, to the great indignation of
Cocardasse, who whispered angrily to his companion: "Why the devil do
they stare at us so?" While to him his companion replied, soothingly:
"Gently, gently."

The gentlemen were screaming with laughter. Taranne fired a volley of
peas, which rattled harmlessly against the long boots of Passepoil.
Navailles consulted his oracle, and declared that he liked the big one
best. Oriol, with a flourish of his trumpet, announced that he preferred
the smug fellow. Peyrolles, with a look of horror on his face, rushed
forward and attempted to intercept the new-comers, but he was too late.
Cocardasse was already in front of Gonzague, and had made him a
tremendous obeisance. "We have the honor to salute your highness," he
said, sonorously.

Gonzague observed him with well-restrained astonishment, and questioned
Chavernay: "Who are these--gentlemen?"

Chavernay was eager to explain that he had come across them in the fair,
and had taken a great fancy to them. After some conversation he found
that they were seeking the Prince de Gonzague, and thereupon he had
consented to be their guide and to present them. At this point Peyrolles
interposed. Coming close to Gonzague, he whispered something to him which
caused for a moment a slight expression of dislike, almost of dread, to
disturb the familiar imperturbability of his countenance. Then he looked
at the bravos. "Gentlemen," he said, "I believe it is your wish to serve
me. A man can never have too many friends. Gentlemen, I accept your
services." He turned to his familiar, and ordered: "Peyrolles, get them
some new clothes."

Peyrolles hurriedly beckoned Cocardasse and Passepoil apart, and could be
seen at