a signal will be given us.
LA HURIÈRE
What will it be?
MAUREVAL
The tocsin will sound from Saint Germain.
LA HURIÈRE
The rallying sign?
MAUREVAL
The cross of Lorraine.
LA HURIÈRE
And the password?
MAUREVAL
Suise and Calais.
LA HURIÈRE
That’s good; we’ll prepare for the feast.
MAUREVAL
Quiet! Here’s a tourist who’s just come.
LA HURIÈRE
Pass this way.
MAUREVAL
Goodbye.
(La Hurière shows him through the house. Maureval can be seen leaving by a door which gives on another street. Coconnas enters on horseback, his eyes are fixed on a sign which represents a roast chicken and which bears the legend—To the Beautiful Tower.)
COCONNAS
By God! There’s an inn which knows how to advertise itself, and the host must be, on my word, an ingenious chap. Besides, it’s situated near the Louvre and that’s where I’m going.
LA MÔLE
(arriving on horseback by another street)
On my soul, that’s a pretty sign—then the hostel is near the Louvre; this will be my accommodation.
COCONNAS
(to La Môle)
By God! sir. I believe you and I both have the same feelings for this inn—I congratulate myself for its flattering to my signory. Are you decided?
LA MÔLE
As you see, sir—not yet, I am considering.
COCONNAS
Not yet? The house is still gratifying.
LA MÔLE
Yes, doubtless—this is a dainty painting, but that is exactly what makes me doubt the reality. Paris is full of cheats, I am told, and they can cheat with a sign just as well as with anything else.
COCONNAS
Oh! That doesn’t worry me. I mock cheats. If our host furnishes me with a bird less well roasted than that on his sign, I will skewer him—and I won’t stop until he’s well done—that ought to reassure you, sir.
(he dismounts)
Let’s go in.
LA MÔLE
(dismounting in his turn)
You’ve finished by deciding me, sir. Sir—show the way, I beg you.
COCONNAS
Ah! On my soul, I can’t, for I am your humble servant, the Count Hannibal Coconnas.
LA MÔLE
And I, sir, am your devoted Count Joseph de Levac de La Môle—completely at your service.
COCONNAS
In that case, sir, let’s lock arms and enter together. Say there, Mr. Host of the Beautiful Tower, Mr. Bumpkin, Mr. Clown.
LA HURIÈRE
Ah, excuse me, sir, I didn’t see you.
COCONNAS
You must see us—it’s your business.
LA HURIÈRE
Well, what do you want, gentlemen?
COCONNAS
(to La Môle)
He’s better already, isn’t he? Well, attracted here by your sign, we expected to find a supper and a bed in your hostel.
LA HURIÈRE
Gentlemen, I am in despair. There’s only one free room in the hostel. And I fear you wouldn’t like it.
LA MÔLE
Ah! My word, so much the better. We will go elsewhere.
COCONNAS
Not at all. Do as you please, Mr. La Môle, but I am staying. My horse is worn out—and I take the room—since you don’t want it—besides, they positively told me about this hostel.
LA HURIÈRE
Ah! That’s another matter. If you are alone—I cannot lodge you at all.
COCONNAS
By God, on my soul, a pleasant creature! Just now we were two too many. Now we are not enough for one. Look here, you don’t want us to stay, comedian?
LA HURIÈRE
My word, since you take this tone, I will tell you frankly, I would much prefer not to experience the honor.
LA MÔLE
And why?
LA HURIÈRE
I have my reasons.
COCONNAS
Doesn’t it seem to you we are going to massacre this character?
LA MÔLE
It’s likely.
LA HURIÈRE
(sneering)
One can see these gentlemen have come from the provinces.
COCONNAS
And why’s that?
LA HURIÈRE
Because in Paris, it’s no longer in fashion to massacre innkeepers who refuse to rent their rooms. It’s the great Lords who are massacred and not the bourgeois. Witness the Admiral, who yesterday received such a famous volley. And if you yell too loud, I am going to call the neighbors, and you will be beaten—treatment unworthy of two gentlemen.
COCONNAS
