Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/223

Indeed, that amiable goddess did not cease to reign amongst the guests, who found, however, that the so-called frugal repast did not lack a certain amplitude. Rodolphe, indeed, had spread himself out. Colline called attention to the fact that the plates were changed, and declared aloud that Mademoiselle Mimi was worthy of the azure scarf with which the empresses of the cooking-stove were adorned, a phrase which was Greek to the young girl, and which Rodolphe translated by telling her “that she would make a capital cordon bleu.”

The appearance on the scene of the lobster caused universal admiration. Under the pretext that he had studied natural history, Schaunard suggested that he should carve it. He even profited by this circumstance to break a knife and to take the largest help for himself, which excited general indignation. But Schaunard had no self-respect, above all in the matter of lobsters, and as there was still a portion left, he had the audacity to put it on one side, saying that it would do for a model for a still-life piece he had on hand.

Indulgent friendship feigned to believe this fiction, the fruit of immoderate gluttony.

As to Colline he reserved his sympathies for the dessert, and was even obstinate enough to cruelly refuse his share of a tipsy cake against a ticket of admission to the orangery of Versailles offered him by Schaunard.

At this point conversation began to get lively. To three bottles with red seals succeeded three bottles with green seals, in the midst of which shortly appeared one which by its neck topped with a silver helmet, was recognized as belonging to the Royal Champagne Regiment—a fantastic champagne vintaged at Saint Ouen, and sold in Paris at two francs the bottle as bankrupt stock, so the vender asserted.