“Yes, monsieur,” the boot-maker replied, with a bow.
“Then I will keep them.--I am curious to see if my head is the same size as yours, also. Let me see the hat you have chosen.”
Doing his utmost to squeeze his head into a hat which the hatter handed him, and which was much too small for him, Daréna cried:
“It will fit me--oh! it will end by fitting me. Have you another one like it there, hatter--but a little larger?”
“Let me see--that is just right; I will take it.”
The tradesmen glanced at one another with some uneasiness; one could see in their eyes that they were wondering whether they ought to trust this gentleman, who selected so many things without even asking the price, and whose costume did not inspire unbounded confidence. Daréna put an end to their uncertainty by adding:
“By the way, here I am buying and buying, and I have no money with me! Parbleu! my friend the young Marquis Chérubin will pay for my purchases with his own; it is useless to make two bills. Then I will settle with him.--Will that inconvenience you, my young friend?”
“No, monsieur, it will give me great pleasure,” replied Chérubin, as he proceeded to dress; “I am delighted to accommodate you!”
And Jasmin whispered to his young master, as he assisted him to put on his waistcoat:
“It’s very good form, too, very noble, to lend to your friends; the late Monsieur de Grandvilain, your father, did it all the time! I will settle with monsieur’s tradesmen.”
Daréna gave the dealers his address, so that they might send him what he had selected, and they took their leave, greatly pleased.
While the old servant went out to give orders for breakfast, Daréna said to Chérubin:
“Now you are dressed in perfect taste--that is very good so far; but it isn’t enough; I propose that my young friend shall have all the little trifles, all the jewelry that is absolutely essential for a Parisian lion.”
“That is the name given to-day to a young man of fashion. Have you a watch?”
“Yes, this one; it belonged to my father.”
As he spoke, Chérubin showed Daréna a gold watch as thick as it was broad. The count roared with laughter as he glanced at it.
“Why, my dear fellow, if you should be seen carrying such an onion, people would laugh in your face.”