“This is not amiss, of a verity;” observed the contented bailiff, as the Fauns and Bacchantes moved off the sward, capering and cutting their classical antics with far more agility and zeal than grace.  “This looks like the inspiration of good wine, Signior Genoese, and were the truth known, it would be found that the rogue who plays the part of the fat person on the ass—­how dost call the knave, noble Melchior?”

“Body o’ me! if I am wiser than thyself, worthy bailiff; it is clearly a rogue who can never have done his mummery so expertly, without some aid from the flask.”

“Twill be well to know the fellow’s character, for there may be the occasion to commend him to the gentlemen of the abbaye, when all is over.  Your skilful ruler has two great instruments that he need use with discretion, Baron de Willading, and these are, fear and flattery; and Berne hath no servant more ready to apply both, or either, as there may be necessity, than one of her poor bailiffs that hath not received all his dues from the general opinion, if truth were spoken.  But it is well to be prepared to speak these good people of the abbaye fairly, touching their exploits.  Harkee master halberdier; thou art of Vevey, I think, and a warm citizen in thy every-day character, or my eyes do us both injustice.”

“I am, as you have said, Monsieur le Bailli, a Vevaisan, and one that is well known among our artisans.”

“True, that was visible, spite of thy halberd.  Thou art, no doubt, rarely gifted, and taught to the letter in these games.  Wilt name the character that has just ridden past on the ass—­he that hath so well enacted the drunkard, I mean?  His name hath gone out of our minds for the moment, though his acting never can, for a better performance of one overcome by liquor is seldom seen.”

“Lord keep you! worshipful bailiff, that is Antoine Giraud, the fat butcher of La Tour de Peil, and a better at the cup there is not in all the country of Vaud!  No wonder that he hath done his part so readily; for, while the others have been reading in books, or drilling like so many awkward recruits under the school-master, Antoine hath had little more to perform than to dip into the skin at his elbow.  When the officers of the abbaye complain, lest he should disturb the ceremonies, he bids them not to make fools of themselves, for every swallow he gives is just so much done in honor of the representation; and he swears, by the creed of Calvin! that there shall be more truth in his acting than in that of any other of the whole party.”

“’Odds my life! the fellow hath humor as well as good acting in him—­this Antoine Giraud!  Will you look into the written order they have given as, fair Adelheid, that we may make sure this artisan-halberdier hath not deceived us?  We in authority must not trust a Vevaisan too lightly.”

“It will be vain, I fear, Herr Bailiff, since the characters, and not the names of the actors, appear in the lists.  The man in question represents Silenus I should think, judging from his appearance and all the other circumstances.”