"But suppose I should climb the tree myself?"
"Ah! that would be one way of approaching the lady, it is true; but reserve that until a little later, wait until the last play begins."
The little dandy allowed his friend to lead him on the stage, where they did not find a single actress, those ladies having gone to dress; but by way of compensation, they saw the young druggist in the costume of Détroussandos, chief of bandits, who was rehearsing his part, his battles, his manoeuvres, with Miaulard, the latter having undertaken also the rôle of Malinot, which the unfortunate Kingerie was to have played in _Roderic et Cunégonde_.
Monsieur Fourriette's costume consisted simply of flesh-colored tights, over which he had drawn a very short pair of red and black bathing drawers, a jacket, a belt, and a broad-brimmed gray hat with the brim turned down.
"The deuce! there's a brigand who proposes to show how he is built," said Jéricourt.
"Is not my costume pretty, messieurs?" asked the druggist, addressing the two young men, whom he recognized as persons to whom he had several times sold pills and other preparations.
"Ah! it's Monsieur Fourriette; I didn't recognize you. So you are to act in the next play, are you?"
"Yes, messieurs, I take the part of Détroussandos, the brigand; I am rather well dressed, eh?"
"In other words, you are not dressed at all; your costume is exceedingly indecent."
"In what respect, pray? I have on tights----"
"Yes, but so tight one wouldn't think you wore any."
"So much the better; at all events, I have drawers----"
"Which don't reach half way down your thighs."
"Messieurs, I love accuracy in everything; this is the true costume of the Italian brigand."
"It is lucky that you are not to act in the Creation of the World; you would be capable of representing Adam in the costume of that day."
"I like to think that you will have a cloak at least."
"Yes, I have one, but I shan't put it on; I shall simply carry it on my arm."
"Why not? I saw a little lady just now up in a tree--_fichtre!_ messieurs, such a pretty brunette! such a lovely bird!--Come, Monsieur Miaulard, let's rehearse our fight with swords. One, two, up; three, four, down!"
"I say, messieurs, it isn't certain that we shall give the play, after all," said Monsieur Mangeot, appearing in his hermit's costume, with a huge piece of cotton batting pasted to his chin, which imitated a white beard to perfection.