It was not a roadside tavern, but a real city inn. Neither Gaston nor Belle had ever been in such a place before. Gaston tried to look casually, so as not to give the appearance of a village fool, but the huge chandelier, the carpets on the floors, the elegant armchairs, and, above all, the city crowd of smartly and fashionably dressed men and women made him stare at all this splendor with a truly provincial wonder and admiration.

Because they were in a hurry and had not packed for the journey properly, they had only hiking clothes. Gaston realized that he in his simple shirt and his wife in a plain dress and apron looked out of place. Paul said something to the man at the counter and the four of them went up to the second floor.

"This is your room," Paul said and smiled.

Gaston pulled a bag of coins from his belt, but Jeannette stopped him:

"We're friends."

"I have money," the hunter objected with pressure.

Jeannette smiled so condescendingly that Gaston felt like a foolish peasant who had sold a cow and was shaking his proceeds in front of everyone.

"Of course you have. We wouldn't be friends with anyone who's willing to live at someone else's expense. You're decent young couple, and we like that about you. After all, it's more fun to have fun together. This is Paul and I's wedding present to the kind of people we once were. And I hope that after we all have a wonderful time together in Toulon, you, in turn, will invite us to your town, and there we will be guests, and you - the hosts."

Gaston liked this idea very much, now he had the opportunity to patronize someone, especially in a town where he was a favorite guy and a hero. Why was he so tense? People just wanted to have fun and show off the town.

"Jeannette, you won't regret it!" the man smiled broadly. "When you come to Belle and me in town, stop at my tavern. Everything will be of the highest order."

"It's a deal!" Paul clapped him on the shoulder. "We'll meet for dinner."

Gaston and his wife went into the room and looked around. A small sofa upholstered in velvet, a bed on which it was frightening to sit, a carved dressing table, an elegant closet.

Hunter carefully sat down on the chair opposite the dressing table and looked in the mirror.

His face was tanned from the road outdoors, his shirt dusty. He tried to smooth his hair.

Belle took off her apron and sat on the bed:

"I wish we'd brought that, pink dress," she said. "I would have liked to be pretty at dinner. For you."

Gaston turned away from the mirror and looked at the girl. Large eyes framed by long lashes, a slightly upturned nose and full lips. The rays of the departing sun shimmered in her brown hair.

"Belle, you are always the most beautiful to me."

She smiled, and stood up and walked over to the man:

"Let me help you with your hair."

Of course, he didn't refuse, and as Belle gently brushed his hair and then braided it with her delicate fingers, he closed his eyes, enjoying the pleasant goosebumps all over his body.

There was a knock at the door, and Gaston got up to open it. It was Jeannette.

"Gaston, Belle, darlings, I have a little proposition for you. There's going to be music and dancing at dinner, and I thought... I'd like to borrow a dress for Belle for the evening. She's so beautiful! What do you say?"

The hunter hesitated, thinking he would rather buy a dress for his wife himself, but it was already evening. He turned around and saw Belle's pleading eyes.

"Thank you very much, Jeannette. We'll return it in the morning."

"Good! I know how a young girl wants to look her best for her man. Unfortunately for you, Gaston, we can't offer you anything. Paul's not as tall as you."

"That's all right. Thanks again, Jeannette."

Gaston put the dress on the bed and he and Belle untied the ribbons. The girl gasped in admiration-it was an elegant green dress.

"Try it on," said Gaston, noticing how eager she was to put it on.

Belle threw off her casual dress and, with her husband's help, put on this stunning piece.

The deep green color set off the whiteness of the girl's skin, the dress fit her figure, and the graceful sleeves further emphasized the gracefulness of her arms. Belle styled her hair a little differently, tucking it up, exposing her long neck.

"You're a princess from a fairy tale," Gaston exhaled. He thought for a moment, then walked over and picked her up in his arms. "And I'm just a simple hunter who's about to kidnap her."

He laid her down on the bed and began to kiss her lips and delicate neck greedily. What a deep cleavage... Mm-mm...

"You're going to wrinkle my dress, hunter," Belle laughed in a deep and sensual voice, running her fingers through his hair and mussing it hopelessly.

He didn't care at all.

There was a knock at the door.

"Would you come down for dinner?" It was Paul.

"Yes, yes!" the young couple answered quickly, trying to catch their breath.

They let go of each other regretfully.

"Tonight I'll make you a woman," Gaston spoke softly, licking his lips. "I've changed my mind."

Belle lowered her eyelashes, her face flushed. Her fingers trembled, and she clasped her hands together. She wasn't as brave as she tried to appear. Gaston moved closer again, putting his arm around her naked shoulders:

"No terrible pain, Princess," he whispered in her ear. Her light hair stirred slightly from his hot breath. "Don't be afraid. Only heavenly pleasure."

Then he stood up, changed one shirt for another clean one, smoothed his hair, and cleaned his boots.

When they went downstairs, Gaston could hardly suppress a sigh of admiration. How many candles! The tables were covered with snow-white tablecloths, not unlike his tavern with its simple rough tables! There was soft, pleasant music playing. The waiters were carrying fine food and drinks, certainly not beer like in his tavern. There was wine and champagne. The ladies were in evening gowns and the men in suits. Oh, if Gaston had thought to bring his wedding gown! He would have looked just as good. Belle, on the other hand, was the most beautiful, even against those city women. She was the best.

Jeannette waved, and Gaston and Belle sat down at their table.

" I took the liberty of ordering the entrees," Paul winked.

Hunter breathed a sigh of relief - he was afraid he'd be a complete ignoramus in these matters. The dishes were written down - written down! - in some special book.

"Let's drink champagne to our meeting," Jeannette suggested, and everyone, of course, agreed.

The evening seemed to be a celebration of some kind, the food was very tasty, though complicated in name. Belle and Jeannette agreed that tomorrow morning Paul would show the local sights. The word meant interesting places in the town.

"Let's dance," Jeannette suggested.

Gaston saw how Belle wanted to dance, but was afraid that he could not dance like those elegant men in the hall. Why was he such an uncouth chump?

Jeannette must have noticed his confusion, so she brought up her idea again:

"Gaston, why don't we dance with you, and Paul will dance with Belle. We'll show you the proper steps, and then you dance together."

It sounded reasonable, and the hunter held out his hand to the woman.

Jeannette put her arms around his neck and began to lead him in the dance.

Her gaze was bold and somehow evaluating. Gaston, of course, was used to being liked by women and was used to not paying much attention to it. Unless it was necessary for something. But Jeannette was not looking at him begrudgingly, but as if she herself were a man, or had led not only the dance, but also relationships with men. That made it uncomfortable.

"How old are you?" Jeannette asked.

"I am twenty-five," replied Gaston. "Why?"

"Just wondering... " the woman repeplied, "It's good to be young. Do you have big families? You, and Belle?

"I'm an orphan. Belle only has a father."

"How sad," Jeannette sighed. " Paul and I are alone in the world, too. Are you the only one from your town who decided to come to Toulon? No one here works or serves?"

"Oh, no," laughed Gaston. "Our people don't even look out of town."

Jeannette smiled too, but she looked thoughtful and contented. The music ended and they went to a table. Belle and Paul were already waiting there. Jeannette sat down next to her husband and put her hand on his arm.

Paul smiled and raised his glass:

"Let's drink to all our dreams coming true."

Gaston looked at beautiful Belle who was sitting next to him. She looked so happy and dear. The evening was just wonderful, and what would come after... would be even more wonderful.

Gaston raised his glass, Belle moved hers. There was a clinking sound.

"For dreams come true!"

The hunter drained his champagne in a flash, and then darkness fell.