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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

      But this wise guy is mocking us, it seems to me.

      LA HURIÈRE

      Gregory—my arquebus.

      COCONNAS

      (drawing his sword)

      Damn! Aren’t you boiling, Mr. La Môle?

      LA MÔLE

      Not at all! For while we are boiling, our supper is freezing—

      (to La Hurière)

      My friend, for how much do you ordinarily rent your room?

      LA HURIÈRE

      A half crown a day.

      LA MÔLE

      Here are eight crowns for eight days. Have you anything else to say?

      LA HURIÈRE

      My word, no—and with such manners. Come in, gentlemen, come in.

      (La Môle passes first, followed by Coconnas.)

      COCONNAS

      Even so! I have real trouble in putting my sword back in its scabbard before assuring myself that is has pricked the fat of this clown!

      LA MÔLE

      Patience, my dear companion! All the inns are full of gentlemen drawn to Paris by the marriage festivities and by the next war with Flanders. We probably couldn’t find another room.

      COCONNAS

      By God! You’ve got cool blood, Mr. de La Môle. But let that rascal take care of himself! If his cuisine is bad—if his bed is hard—if his wine isn’t three years old—if his valet is not supple like a reed—it will be my affair.

      LA HURIÈRE

      (putting away a large knife)

      There, there, sir, you are in the land of Cocaine. Calm down.

      (aside)

      He’s some Huguenot. These traitors are so insolent since the marriage of their Bearnaise with Princess Margot.

      (smiling)

      It would be funny if two Huguenots came to me today—St. Bartholomew’s day—

      COCONNAS

      So, Count, tell me, while they are preparing our room for us, do you find Paris a gay city?

      LA MÔLE

      My word, no. It seems to me to have only frightening and surly faces—perhaps the Parisians are also afraid of the storm. See how black the heavens are—and how heavy the air.

      COCONNAS

      You will be going to the Louvre, right? After doing me the honor of conversing with me.

      LA MÔLE

      Yes.

      COCONNAS

      Well, if you like, while waiting for supper, we can find it together.

      LA MÔLE

      We could dine first?

      COCONNAS

      Not me! My orders are precise, to be in Paris on Sunday the 24th of August and go directly to the Louvre.

      LA MÔLE

      Let’s go—so be it. It is well, says Plutarch, to accustom one’s soul to sadness and one’s stomach to hunger—

      COCONNAS

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