midday
She had a knack of tidiness , with which she had infected the Doctor ; everything was in its place ; everything capable of polish shone gloriously ; and dust was a thing banished from her empire . Aline , their single servant , had no other business in the world but to scour and burnish . So Doctor Desprez lived in his house like a fatted calf , warmed and cosseted to his heart 's content . The midday meal was excellent . There was a ripe melon , a fish from the river in a memorable Bearnaise sauce , a fat fowl in a fricassee , and a dish of asparagus , followed by some fruit . The Doctor drank half a bottle _ plus _ one glass , the wife half a bottle _ minus _ the same quantity , which was a marital privilege , of an excellent Cote-Rotie , seven years old . Then the coffee was brought , and a flask of Chartreuse for madame , for the Doctor despised and distrusted such decoctions ; and then Aline left the wedded pair to the pleasures of memory and digestion .