Part 6 (2/2)
”Unknown,” said De Guiche
”Unknown? yes, ood I will speak to Monsieur about it By the by, she is of gentle birth?”
”She belongs to a very good family and is maid of honor to Madame”
”That's well Will you accompany me to Monsieur?”
”Most certainly, if I e?”
”No; I came here on horseback”
”Dressed as you are?”
”No,suit for the one I have on, in order to present myself to you”
”True, you already toldwhich he crumpled Manicamp's letter in his hand, and thrust it in his pocket
”I beg your pardon,” said Malicorne, timidly; ”but I do not think you have read all”
”Not read all, do you say?”
”No; there were two letters in the same envelope”
”Oh! are you sure?”
”Quite sure”
”Let us look, then,” said the count, as he opened the letter again
”Ah! you are right,” he said opening the paper which he had not yet read
”I suspected it,” he continued-”another application for an appointular va on a trade in it”
”No, monsieur le comte, he wishes to make a present of it”
”To whom?”
”To myself, monsieur”
”Why did you not say so at once, my dear M Mauvaisecorne?”
”Malicorne, ive me; it is that Latin that bothersht Latin? Mala and ive me, I trust, M de Malicorne”
”Your kindness affects me much, monsieur: but it is a reason why I should make you acquainted with one circumstance without any delay”
”What is it?”
”That I was not born a gentleether deficient in ability; but my name is Malicorne simply”
”You appear toat the astute face of his coreeable man Your face pleases me, M Malicorne, and you must possess sootistical Manicamp Be candid and tell me whether you are not some saint descended upon the earth”
”Why so?”
”For the si Did you not say that he intended to 's household?”
”I beg your pardon, count; but, if I succeed in obtaining the appointment, you, and not he, will have bestowed it on iven it to you for nothing, I suppose Stay, I have it;-there is a Malicorne at Orleans who lends money to the prince”
”I think that must be my father, monsieur”
”Ah! the prince has the father, and that terrible dragon of a Manicamp has the son Take care, monsieur, I know him He will fleece you completely”
”The only difference is, that I lend without interest,” said Malicorne, s you were either a saint or very much resembled one M Malicorne, you shall have the post you want, or I will forfeit ratitude shall I not owe you?” said Malicorne, transported
”Let us go to the prince, my dear M Malicorne” And De Guiche proceeded toward the door, desiring Malicorne to follow him At the veryman appeared on the other side He was froe, of pale coht eyes and brown hair and eyebrows ”Good-day,” said he, suddenly, alain
”Is that you, De Wardes?-What! and booted, spurred and whip in hand, too?”
”Thecostume for a man about to set off for Le Havre There will be no one left in Paris to-reat cereave him the appearance of a prince
”M Malicorne,” said De Guiche to his friend De Wardes bowed
”M de Wardes,” said Guiche to Malicorne, who bowed in return ”By the by, De Wardes,” continued De Guiche, ”you who are so well acquainted with these matters, can you tell us, probably, what appointments are still vacant at the court; or rather in the prince's household?”
”In the prince's household,” said De Wardes looking up with an air of consideration, ”let me see-the appointment of the master of the horse is vacant, I believe”
”Oh,” said Malicorne, ”there is no question of such a post as that, monsieur; my ambition is not nearly so exalted”
De Wardes had aobservation than De Guiche, and fatho at him from head to foot, ”a man must be either a duke or a peer to fill that post”
”All I solicit,” said Malicorne, ”is a very humble appointment; I am of little importance, and I do not rank myself above my position”
”M Malicorne, whom you see here,” said De Guiche to De Wardes, ”is a very excellent fellohose only entle birth As far as I am concerned, you know, I attach little value to those who have but gentle birth to boast of”
”assuredly,” said De Wardes; ”but will you allow me to remark, my dear count, that, without rank of sohness's household?”