He replied: "I find that two glasses do not make much of a show. If we
could have champagne--it would not cost me more than three or four francs;
we have the glasses already, and it would entirely change the aspect of
the table."
Mlle Charlotte replied: "I do not see the use of going to that expense.
But you are paying; it does not concern me."
He hesitated, seeking to convince himself:
"I assure you it would be much better. And then, with the cake it would
make things more lively." This decided him. He took his hat and went
downstairs, returning in five minutes with a bottle under his arm which
bore on a large white label, ornamented with an enormous coat of arms,
the words: "Grand vin mousseux de Champagne du Comte de Chatel-Rénovau."
Cachelin declared: "It cost only three francs, and the man says it is
delicious."
He took the champagne glasses from the cupboard and placed them before
each place.
The door at the right opened. His daughter entered. She was a tall girl
with firm, rosy flesh--a handsome daughter of a strong race. She had
chestnut hair and blue eyes. A simple gown outlined her round and supple
figure; her voice was strong, almost the voice of a man, with those deep
notes which make the nerves vibrate. She cried: "Heavens! Champagne! What
luck!" clapping her hands like a child.
Her father said to her: "I wish you to be particularly nice to this
gentleman; he has done such a lot for me."