As he was perfectly
well known on the road, we fared sumptuously without any cost, and
the fatigue of our journey was much alleviated by the good humour
of my companion, who sang an infinite number of catches on the
subjects of love and wine. We took up our lodging the first night
at a peasant's house not far from Abbeville, where we were entertained
with an excellent ragout, cooked by our landlord's daughters, one
of whom was very handsome. After having eaten heartily and drank
a sufficient quantity of small wine, we were conducted to a barn,
where we found a couple of carpets spread upon clean straw for our
reception. We had not lain in this situation above half-an-hour, when
we heard somebody knock softly at the door, upon which Balthazar
got up, and let in our host's two daughters, who wanted to have
some private conversation with him in the dark. When they had
whispered together some time, the capuchin came to me, and asked if
I was insensible to love, and so hard-hearted as to refuse a share
of my bed to a pretty maid who had a tendre for me? I must own to
my shame, that I suffered myself to be overcome by my passion, and
with great eagerness seized the occasion, when I understood that
the amiable Nanette was to be my bedfellow.
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