“The jeweller smiled. ‘Have you any other guests in your house?’ inquired he.

“ ‘Nobody but ourselves,’ replied Caderousse; ‘the fact is, we do not lodge travellers⁠—indeed, our tavern is so near the town, that nobody would think of stopping here.’

“ ‘Then I am afraid I shall very much inconvenience you.’

“ ‘Inconvenience us? Not at all, my dear sir,’ said La Carconte in her most gracious manner. ‘Not at all, I assure you.’

“ ‘But where will you manage to stow me?’

“ ‘In the chamber overhead.’

“ ‘Surely that is where you yourselves sleep?’

“ ‘Never mind that; we have a second bed in the adjoining room.’