Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/135

“That, that’s worth thirty sous,” said Rodolphe, with a contemptuous glance at his friend’s find.

“Thirty sous well employed will go a great way,” replied Marcel. “With twelve hundred men Bonaparte made ten thousand Austrians lay down their arms. Skill can replace numbers. I will go and swap the Carlovingian crown at Daddy Medicis’. Is there not anything else saleable here? Suppose I take the plaster-cast of the tibia of Jaconowski, the Russian drum-major.”

“Take the tibia. But it is a nuisance, there will not be a single ornament left here.”

During Marcel’s absence, Rodolphe, his mind made up that the party should be given in any case, went in search of his friend Colline, the hyperphysical philosopher, who lived hard by.

“I have come,” said he, “to ask you to do me a favor. As host I must positively have a black swallow-tail, and I have not got one; lend me yours.”

“But,” said Colline hesitating, “as a guest I shall want my black swallow-tail too.”

“I will allow you to come in a frock-coat.”

“That won’t do. You know very well T have never had a frock-coat.”

“Well, then, it can be settled in another way. If needs be, you need not come to my party, and can lend me your swallow-tail.”

“That would be unpleasant; I am on the programme and must not be lacking.”

“There are plenty of other things that will be lacking,” said Rodolphe. “Lend me your black swallow-tail, and if you will come, come as you like; in your shirt sleeves, you will pass for a faithful servant.”

“Oh! no,” said Colline, blushing; “I will wear my great coat. But all the same, it is very unpleasant.” And