Part 11 (2/2)

”Yes, thank you,” I answered. ”I appreciate your confidence, and will promise to keep your secret.”

”Oh, goodness,” he said, laughing, ”there is no secret in the matter--the first peasant you meet would tell you all I have told you; I only hope that in Paris my brother has not boasted of this privilege, which would only cause men to laugh, and would frighten the ladies.”

So saying, he bade me good-night, and retired to his room.

Although fatigued, I was not able to sleep for some time, and when I did at last sleep I was restless.

I appeared to see in a confused manner in my dreams all the people with whom I had come in contact that day. It was only when day broke that I fell into a sound sleep, and was awakened by the striking of a clock, close to my bed, apparently.

I rang the bell, without rising, for my lazy predecessor had provided a bell-rope close at hand, the only one probably in the village.

Griffo immediately appeared, carrying some warm water; I saw that this valet had been well drilled.

Lucien, he said, had twice inquired whether I was awake, and had told him that if I did not ring before half-past nine he would call me.

It was now twenty-five minutes past nine, so it would not be long before he came.

He soon made his appearance, dressed very elegantly in French style, with a black frock coat and white trowsers.

He noticed that I looked at him with some surprise.

”I hope you are admiring my dress,” he said; ”another proof that I am becoming civilized.”

”Yes, indeed,” I replied, ”and I confess I am considerably astonished to find that you possess such a tailor in Ajaccio. I shall look quite the country b.u.mpkin beside you.”

”I a.s.sure you my dress is quite Parisian, my dear friend. You see my brother and I being exactly the same height, he for a joke sent me a regular outfit, which I only wear on grand occasions, to receive the prefect, for instance, or when the commandant makes his departmental inspection; or, better still, when I receive a guest like yourself, and when that pleasure is combined with such important business as we are about to accomplish to-day.”

There was in this young man's manner of speaking a polished irony, and good-nature withal, which at once set people at their ease, and never pa.s.sed the bounds of perfect politeness.

I simply bowed in reply, while he carefully inducted his hands into a pair of kid gloves of Paris manufacture.

As now attired, he looked a thorough Parisian.

All this time I was dressing rapidly.

A quarter to ten struck.

”Come along,” said Lucien, ”if you wish to see the play. I think it is time we took our seats, unless, indeed, you would rather have breakfast first, which appears to me only reasonable.”

”Thank you, I seldom eat before eleven or twelve, so I am ready to face both operations.”

”Come along, then.”

I took up my hat and followed him upstairs.

CHAPTER XI.

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