Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 6.djvu/44

10 the moment the wine touched his lips threw their hats in the air with a shout. The host, who took this for a signal of massacre, fell on his knees; and Bernard himself was a little surprised at the exceptional honour. But he thought it his duty not to be behind this German politeness, and gave the captain's health. The bottles, already stoutly attacked before his arrival, could not hold out at this fresh toast.

"Get up, hypocrite," said the captain, turning to the still kneeling host; "get up, and fetch us wine. See you not that the bottles are empty?" And the cornet, to prove the fact, threw one of them at the head of the host, who ran to the cellar.

"'Tis an insolent rascal," said Mergy; "but you might have done him more harm than you meant if that bottle had gone straight."

"Bah!" said the cornet with a loud laugh; and Mila added, "A Papist's head, though it be emptier than that bottle, is also harder;" whereat the cornet laughed yet louder, and was imitated by all the company, even by Mergy, whose smile, however, was rather for the gipsy's pretty mouth than for her cruel jest. They brought the wine, the supper followed, and after a moment's silence the captain began again with his mouth full: