Loud huzzahs and bravos re-echoed through the café, although, had Samouard been more observant, he might have noticed an evil sarcastic glint in Sacqueville-Danglars's eye, as well as the fact the fact that Pippand was silently slashing his mushrooms with his dagger.
"Secondly," continued the happy groom, "to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. Today is our nuptial day. We wed today, et c'est un fait, ça! Your number, indeed, was specially chosen to represent the number of hours per night I will make love to my wife!"
This sally redoubled the hilarity of the guests, eliciting a fresh burst of applause. This was he sort of thing the company liked: short, obvious, witty in a vaguely naughty way, and which did not interrupt the drinking.
"You neglected to make the third announcement," said the gendarme Robert Petit-Bourreau, who had entered unnoticed during the applause. "I regret to announce that, although" (glancing at a document) "35 years is far too short a time to spend among such excellent hobbites, M. Samouard Gamgès is departing NOW. For I am the reluctant bearer of an order of arrest. Adieu, messieurs-dames."
Gamgès was flabbergasted. "There is in this surely some mistake," he cried. "I committed no crime except underage smoking!"
"Then you have nothing to fear," said the gendarme, calmly and efficiently removing Gamgès from the assembly.
