Part 6 (1/2)
Chapter VI The Courtyard of the Hotel Grammont
On Malicorne's arrival at Orleans, he was informed that the Comte de Guiche had just set out for Paris Malicorne rested himself for a couple of hours, and then prepared to continue his journey He reached Paris during the night, and alighted at a small hotel, where, in his previous journeys to the capital, he had been accusto presented himself at the Hotel Grammont Malicorne arrived just in ti leave of Monsieur before setting out for Le Havre, where the principal one to await Madaland Malicorne pronounced the name of Manicamp, and was immediately admitted He found the Comte de Guiche in the courtyard of the Hotel Gra his horses, which his trainers and equerries were passing in review before him The count, in the presence of his tradespeople and of his servants, was engaged in praising or bla, as the case seemed to deserve, the appoint submitted to him; when, in the midst of this important occupation, the name of Manicamp was announced
”Manicamp!” he exclaimed; ”let him enter by all means” And he advanced a few steps toward the door
Malicorne slipped through the half-open door, and looking at the Comte de Guiche, as surprised to see a face he did not recognize, instead of the one he expected, said: ”Forgive me, monsieur le comte, but I believe a mistake has been made M Manicamp himself was announced to you, instead of which it is only an envoy from him”
”Ah!” exclai me?”
”A letter, monsieur le comte” Malicorne handed him the first document, and narroatched the count's face, who, as he read it, began to laugh
”What!” he exclaimed, ”another maid of honor? Are all the maids of honor in France, then, under his protection?”
Malicorne bowed
”Why does he not come himself?” he inquired
”He is confined to his bed”
”The deuce! he has nohis shoulders ”What does he do with his money?”
Malicorne made a norant as the count himself ”Why does he not make use of his credit, then?” continued De Guiche
”With regard to that, I think-”
”What?”
”That Manicamp has credit with no one but yourself, monsieur le comte!”
”He will not be at Le Havre, then?” Whereupon Malicorne made another movement
”But every one will be there”
”I trust, lect so excellent an opportunity”
”He should be at Paris by this time”
”He will take the direct road perhaps to make up for lost time”
”Where is he now?”
”At Orleans”
”Monsieur,” said De Guiche, ”you see so, ”You do reat honor, monsieur le co?”
”My name is Malicorne, monsieur”
”M de Malicorne, what do you think of these pistol-holsters?”
Malicorne was a reat readiness and immediately understood the position of affairs Besides, the ”de” which had been prefixed to his name, raised hi He looked at the holsters with the air of a connoisseur and said, without hesitation: ”Somewhat heavy, monsieur”
”You see,” said De Guiche to the saddler, ”this gentleman, who understands these matters well, thinks the holsters heavy, a complaint I had already made” The saddler was full of excuses
”What do you think,” asked De Guiche, ”of this horse, which I have just purchased?”
”To look at it, it seeive you my opinion”
”Do so, M de Malicorne, and ride him round the court two or three tied, that whenever there was any occasion for it, it could be used as a riding-school Malicorne, with perfect ease, arranged the bridle and snaffle-reins, placed his left hand on the horse's mane, and, with his foot in the stirrup, raised himself and seated himself in the saddle At first, he made the horse walk the whole circuit of the court-yard at a foot-pace; next at a trot; lastly at a gallop He then drew up close to the count, dis by ”Well,” said the count, ”what do you think of it, M de Malicorne?”
”This horse,whether the bit suited his e when the training of a horse intended for a charger should coht A horse which holds its head high, it is said, never tires his rider's hand The withers are rather low The drooping of the hind-quarters would almost make me doubt the purity of its Gerlish blood in hih, and may cut hi He is tractable; and as I e his feet, I found hi so”
”Well said, M de Malicorne,” exclaie of horses, I perceive;” then, turning towards hily dressed, M de Malicorne That is not a provincial cut, I presume Such a style of dress is not to be met with at Tours or Orleans”
”No, monsieur le comte; my clothes were made at Paris”
”There is no doubt about that But let us resume our own affair Manicamp wishes for the appointment of a second maid of honor”
”You perceive what he has written, monsieur le comte”
”For as the first appointment?”
Malicorne felt the color rise in his face as he answered hurriedly
”A char maid of honor, Mademoiselle de Montalais”
”Ah, ah! you are acquainted with her?”
”We are affianced, or nearly so”
”That is quite another thing, then; a thousand compliments,” exclaimed De Guiche, upon whose lips a courtier's jest was already fitting, but to whom the word ”affianced,” addressed by Malicorne with respect to Mademoiselle de Montalais, recalled the respect due to women
”And for whom is the second appointment destined?” asked De Guiche; ”is it for anyone to whom Manicairl! for she will have a sad fellow for a husband”
”No, monsieur le comte; the second appointment is for Mademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere”