The arrival of the illustrious guests had by no means caused him to relax his hold, and, while the prelates and ambassadors were packing themselves into the stalls−−like genuine Flemish herrings−−he settled himself at his ease, and boldly crossed his legs on the architrave.
L’arrivée des illustres conviés ne lui avait nullement fait lâcher prise, et tandis que prélats et ambassadeurs s’encaquaient, en vrais harengs flamands, dans les stalles de la tribune, lui s’était mis à l’aise, et avait bravement croisé ses jambes sur l’architrave.