In less than an hour he was at home
again, and leaving the charge of the cooking to a capable woman he had
found and sent out to the chateau, he immediately proceeded to set the
table, in the ancient banqueting hall--gathering together all the fine
porcelain and dainty glass that yet remained intact in the two tall
buffets--evidences of former splendour. But the profusion of gold and
silver plate that used to adorn the festive board of the de Sigognacs
had all been converted into coin of the realm long ago.
When at last the old servant announced that dinner was ready, the
two young men took their places opposite to each other at table, and
Vallombreuse, who was in the gayest, most jovial mood, attacked the
viands with an eagerness and ferocity immensely diverting to his host.
After devouring almost the whole of a chicken, which, it is true, seemed
to have died of a consumption, there was so little flesh on its bones,
he fell back upon the tempting, rosy slices of the delicate Bayonne ham,
and then passed to the pate of ducks' livers, which he declared to be
supremely delicious, exquisite, ambrosial--food fit for the gods; and
he found the sharp cheese, made of goat's milk, which followed, an
excellent relish. He praised the wine, too--which was really very old
and fine and drank it with great gusto, out of his delicate Venetian
wine-glass.
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