Sicilian or Maltese; but the host was unable to decide to which of the
two nations the traveler belonged.
"Very good, Maitre Pastrini," said Franz; "but we must have some supper instantly, and a carriage for to-morrow and the following days."
"As to supper," replied the landlord, "you shall be served immediately; but as for the carriage"
"What as to the carriage?" exclaimed Albert. "Come, come, Maitre Pastrini, no joking; we must have a carriage."
"Sir," replied the host, "we will do all in our power to procure you one this is all I can say."
"And when shall we know?" inquired Franz.
"To-morrow morning," answered the innkeeper.
"Oh, the devil! then we shall pay the more, that's all; I see plainly enough. At Drake and Aaron's one pays twenty-five francs for common days, and thirty or thirty-five francs a day more for Sundays and fetes; add five francs a day more for extras, that will make forty, and there's an end of it."
"I am afraid if we offer them double that, we shall not procure a carriage."
"Then they must put horses to mine. It is a little worse for the journey, but that's no matter."
"There are no horses."
Albert looked at Franz like a man who hears a reply he does not understand.
"Do you understand that, my dear Franz—no horses!" he said; "but can't we have post-horses?"
"They have been all hired this fortnight, and there are none left but those absolutely requisite for posting."
"What are we to say to this?" asked Franz.
"I say that when a thing completely surpasses my comprehension, I am accustomed not to dwell on that thing, but to pass to another. Is supper ready, Maitre Pastrini?"
"Yes, your excellency."
"Well, then, let us sup."
"But the carriage and horses?" said Franz.
"Be easy, my dear boy; they will come in due season; it is only a question of how much shall be charged for them."
Morcerf then, with that delighted philosophy which believes that nothing is impossible to a full purse and well-lined pocket-book, supped, went to bed, slept soundly, and dreamed he was racing all over Borne at Carnival-time in a coach with six horses.
