"That's true enough, and last night when they found you, you slipped away."
"And that's true, too, comrade," answered the dwarf.
"The Count heard of it, and you'll find him in no good mood this morning, I warrant."
"He'll listen to reason, and there was no reason in last night's affair," Jean returned. "Come, comrade, think of it yourself. Here was I, peaceably walking along a street, counting the moments that brought me nearer to my love, when——"
"Love!" laughed the soldier.
"Did I not speak plainly, or is it that your head is full of sleep yet and you are somewhat deaf?"
"Do you mean a girl?"
"Faith, friend, this is full early to be full of liquor," answered the dwarf. "What should a man love but a girl?"
The soldier nearly choked with laughter, and this brought two other men out of the guard-house to see what it was that so amused him.