The doctor himself, who was the only person present, whose
organs were not discomposed, pointing to a couple of couches placed
on each side of the table, told his guests that he was sorry he
could not procure the exact triclinia of the ancients, which were
somewhat different from these conveniences, and desired they would
have the goodness to repose themselves without ceremony, each in
his respective couchette, while he and his friend Mr. Pallet would
place themselves upright at the ends, that they might have the
pleasure of serving those that lay along. This disposition, of which
the strangers had no previous idea, disconcerted and perplexed them
in a most ridiculous manner; the marquis and baron stood bowing
to each other, on pretence of disputing the lower seat, but in
reality with a view of profiting by the example of one another, for
neither of them understood the manner in which they were to loll;
and Peregrine, who enjoyed their confusion, handed the count to
the other side, where, with the most mischievous politeness, he
insisted upon his taking possession of the upper place.
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