Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/216

party would come off next Saturday. The Bohemians told their mistresses to think about their toilettes.

“Do not forget,” said they, “that we are going into real drawing-rooms. Therefore, make ready, a rich but simple costume.”

And from that day all the neighborhood was informed that Mesdesmoilles Phémie, Mimi, and Musette, were going into society.

On the morning of the festivity, Colline, Schaunard, Marcel, and Rodolphe, called, in a body, on Barbemuche, who looked astonished to see them so early.

“Has anything happened which will oblige us to put it off?” he asked, with some anxiety.

“Yes—that is, no”—said Colline; “this is how we are placed. Among ourselves we never stand on ceremony, but when we are to meet strangers, we wish to preserve a certain decorum.”

“Well?” said the other.

“Well,” continued Colline, “since we are to meet to-night, the young gentleman to whom we are indebted for the rooms, out of respect to him and to ourselves, we come simply to ask you if you cannot lend us some becoming toggery. It is almost impossible, you see, for us to enter this gorgeous roof in frock-coats and colored trousers.”

“But,” said Carolus, “I have not black clothes for all of you.”

“We will make do with what you have,” said Colline.

“Suit yourselves, then,” said Carolus, opening a well-furnished wardrobe.

“What an arsenal of elegancies!” said Marcel.

“Three hats!” exclaimed Schaunard, in ecstasy; “can a man want three hats when he has but one head?”

“And the boots!” said Rodolphe, “only look!”

“What a number of boots!” howled Colline.