Part 23 (1/2)

Monsieur Poterne took a pasteboard box from his pocket, containing a very pretty, flat watch, a gold chain, which looked very light but was of beautiful workmans.h.i.+p, and a diamond pin. Cherubin uttered a cry of admiration when he saw the baubles.

”These, monsieur le marquis, are the finest and most stylish things to be had,” said Poterne, pa.s.sing the chain about the young man's neck, and doing his utmost to a.s.sume an honest expression.

”Yes, they're in the latest style,” said Darena. ”My dear Cherubin, you must have these things; a well-dressed man cannot do without them. I have several chains myself; they are all broken just now, but I am having them mended.”

”Oh! I will buy all these jewels,” cried Cherubin. ”Who would believe that there was a watch inside of this? What a pretty pin!--How much for them all, monsieur?”

Observing the young man's enthusiasm over the jewels, Poterne thought that he might add a little more to the price.

”Twenty-five hundred francs in all,” he said.

Darena turned his face away and bit his lips, while Cherubin ran to his cash drawer.

At sight of that drawer filled with gold pieces, Monsieur Poterne turned blue, his brow became wrinkled, his eyes increased in size and his nose shrunk. Darena, observing his excitement, took advantage of the fact that Cherubin's back was turned to administer a kick to his friend, muttering:

”I trust, you villain, that you have no detestable intentions; if I thought that you had, I would break every bone in your body.”

Poterne had no time to reply; he rubbed that portion of his anatomy which had been attacked, received the amount which Cherubin counted out to him in gold, and hastily took his leave. But he had hardly pa.s.sed through the bedroom door when Darena ran after him, saying:

”Excuse me, my young friend, I will return in a moment; I forgot to give my steward an important order.”

Hurrying after Poterne, who seemed anxious to avoid being overtaken, Darena caught him on the stairs and seized him by his coat collar.

”Don't go so fast,” he said; ”you're in a great hurry, you old scoundrel. Come, give me two thousand francs, in a hurry.”

”Two thousand francs!” muttered Poterne; ”why, I've got to give eight hundred to the jeweler, who is waiting downstairs.”

”You can give him five hundred; he will be satisfied to wait for the rest.”

”But I----”

”I'll break you into six pieces, if you argue. Come, Poterne, be decent!

You know that when I am in funds, you never lack anything.”

Monsieur Poterne complied, looking as if he were about to weep. Darena pocketed the gold and returned to Cherubin, who was admiring himself in the mirror. Jasmin came to say that breakfast was served, and the gentlemen took their seats at the table. They were hardly seated when Monsieur de Monfreville was announced.

When he saw Darena at table with their young friend of the preceding day, Monfreville moved his head imperceptibly and said to the count:

”Here already? The deuce! you must have come quite early.”

”When I am fond of my friends, I am always in haste to see them,”

replied Darena.--”What wine is this, faithful Jasmin?”

”Beaune, monsieur,” replied the old servant, bowing.

”It is very good; but I like sauterne and chambertin at breakfast. You must have a fine cellar here?”

”Oh, yes, monsieur; and all old wines.”

”I imagine so, if they were laid in by our young friend's father.--Come, O model of old retainers, go and bring us several more bottles. When a cellar has been left in peace for a generation, it seems to me that it is high time to empty it.”