Part 18 (1/2)
”But then I was some years in Paris--at the Lycee of Louis le Grand It was there I erous man,” said Polichinelle, sententiously
”Indeed, and you are right,” Pantaloon agreed ”Clever--I do not deny hih myself I find little use for authors But of a sinister cleverness responsible for the dissemination of many of these subversive new ideas I think such writers should be suppressed”
”M de La Tour d'Azyr would probably agree with you--the gentleman who by the simple exertion of his will turns this communal land into his own property” And Andre-Louis drained his cup, which had been filled with the poor vin gris that was the players' drink
It was a reument had it not also reminded M Binet of the terms on which they were encamped there, and of the fact that the half-hour wasup with an agility surprising in so corpulent ahis commands like a marshal on a field of battle
”Co here all day? Time flees, and there's a deal to be done if we are to et you dressed We strike camp in twenty minutes Bestir, ladies! To your chaise, and see that you contrive to look your best
Soon the eyes of Guichen will be upon you, and the condition of your interior to-morroill depend upon the impression made by your exterior to-day Away! Away!”
The implicit obedience this autocrat coged forth to receive the platters and reround was cleared, and the three ladies had taken their departure to the chaise, which was set apart for their use Theinto the house on wheels, when Binet turned to Andre-Louis
”We part here, sir,” said he, dramatically, ”the richer by your acquaintance; your debtors and your friends” He put forth his podgy hand
Slowly Andre-Louis took it in his own He had been thinking swiftly in the last fewthe safety he had found from his pursuers in the bosom of this company, it occurred to him that nowhere could he be better hidden for the present, until the quest for him should have died down
”Sir,” he said, ”the indebtedness is on my side It is not every day one has the felicity to sit doith so illustrious and engaging a company”
Binet's little eyes peered suspiciously at the youngbut candour and siood faith
”I part from you reluctantly,” Andre-Louis continued ”The more reluctantly since I do not perceive the absolute necessity for parting”
”How?” quoth Binet, frowning, and sloithdrawing the hand which the other had already retained rather longer than was necessary
”Thus,” Andre-Louis explained hiht of rueful countenance in quest of adventure, with no fixed purpose in life at present You will not uished troupe should inspire me to desire your better acquaintance On your side you tell aro--your Felicien, I think you called him
Whilst it e an office so varied and so onerous”
”You are indulging that acrid huain,for that,” he added, slowly, ht discuss this proposal that you see If you take me, you take me as I am What else is possible? As for this huht turn it to profitable account”
”How so?”
”In several ways I ht, for instance, teach Leandre to hter ”You do not lack confidence in your powers Modesty does not afflict you”
”Therefore I evince the first quality necessary in an actor”
”Can you act?”
”Upon occasion, I think,” said Andre-Louis, his thoughts upon his perfor when in all his histrionic career Pantaloon's improvisations had so rent the heart of”Do you know ,” said Andre-Louis
”I said that modesty will prove no obstacle in your career”