“Is there a stable at the Opera? Upon my word, I didn’t know. Where is it?”

“In the cellars, on the Rotunda side. It’s a very important department; we have twelve horses.”

“Twelve horses! And what for, in Heaven’s name?”

“Why, we want trained horses for the processions in the Juive , the Profeta and so on; horses ‘used to the boards.’ It is the grooms’ business to teach them. M. Lachenel is very clever at it. He used to manage Franconi’s stables.”

“Very well⁠ ⁠… but what does he want?”

“I don’t know; I never saw him in such a state.”

“He can come in.”