"
As Chupin went off, the old man shook his head.
"Too sharp by a good bit," said he; "he won't have a long lease of
life."
Beaumarchef was about to ask Tantaine to remain in the office while
he went off to put on his best clothes, but the old man stopped this
request by saying,--
"As M. Mascarin does not like to be disturbed, I will just go in without
knocking. When the other gentlemen arrive, show them in; for look you
here, my good friend, the pear is so ripe that if it is not plucked, it
will fall to the ground."
CHAPTER XVI.
A TURN OF THE SCREW.
Dr. Hortebise was the first to arrive. It was a terrible thing for him
to get up so early; but for Mascarin's sake he consented even to this
inconvenience. When he passed through the office, the room was full
of clients; but this did not prevent the doctor from noticing the
negligence of Beaumarchef's costume.
"Aha!" remarked the doctor, "on the drunk again, I am afraid."
"M. Mascarin is within," answered the badgered clerk, endeavoring to put
on an air of dignity; "and M. Tantaine is with him."
A brilliant idea flashed across the doctor's mind, but it was with an
air of gravity that he said,--
"I shall be charmed to meet that most worthy old gentleman.
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