OutsidehecalledRabecque，andtogethertheywentbelow。Butmindfulofherfears，hedispatchedoneofthetrooperstostandsentryoutsideherdoorwhilstheandhislackeysupped。Thatdone，hecalledthehost，andsethimselfattable，Rabecqueathiselbowinattendancetohandhimthedishesandpourhiswine。
Acrossthelow-ceilingedroomthefourtravellersstillsatintalk，andasGarnacheseatedhimself，oneofthemshoutedforthehostandaskedinanimpatienttonetoknowifhissupperwassoontocome。
“Inamoment，sir，“answeredthelandlordrespectfully，andheturnedagaintotheParisian。Hewentouttobringthelatter”smeal，andwhilsthewasgoneRabecqueheardfromhismasterthereasonoftheirremainingthatnightinGrenoble。Theinferencedrawnbytheastutelackey-andfreelyexpressedbyhim-fromthelackofhorsesorcarriagesinGrenoblethatnight，coincidedoddlywithValerie”s。HetoogaveitashisopinionthathismasterhadbeenforestalledbytheDowager”speople，andwithoutpresumingtoadviseGarnachetogowarily-apieceofadvicethatGarnachewouldhaveresented，totheextentperhapsofboxingthefellow”sears-hedetermined，thereandthen，tokeepaclosewatchuponhismaster，andundernocircumstances，ifpossible，permithimtoleavetheSuckingCalfthatnight。
Thehostreturned，bearingaplatteronwhichtheresteamedaragoutthatgaveoutanappetizingodour；hiswifefollowedwithotherdishesandabottleofArmagnacunderherarm。Rabecquebusiedhimselfatonce，andhishungrymasterdisposedhimselftosatisfythehealthiestappetiteinFrance，whensuddenlyashadowfellacrossthetable。Amanhadcometostandbesideit，hisbodyscreeningthelightofoneofthelampsthathungfromarafteroftheceiling。
“Atlast！“heexclaimed，andhisvoicewasharshwithill-humour。