Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/37

Rh fifteen leagues in these clothes they would never be fit to put on again; and, instead of selling them for thirty pis- toles, I should be obliged to take fifteen."

"Sell them for what you like, but I must have a second commission of maid of honor."

"Good! For whom? Is Montalais doubled, then?"

"Vile fellow I It is you who are doubled. You swallow up two fortunes — mine and that of Monsieur le Comte de Guiche."

"You should say that of Monsieur le Comte de Guiche and yours."

"That is true; honor where it is due; but I return to my brevet."

"And you are wrong."

"Prove me that."

"My friend, there will only be twelve maids of honor for madame; I have already obtained for you what twelve hundred women are trying for, and for that I was forced to employ my diplomacy."

"Oh! yes, I know you have been quite heroic, my dear friend."

"We know what we are about," said Manicamp.

"To whom do you tell that? When I am king, I promise you one thing."

"What? To call you Malicorne I. ?"

"No; to make you surintendant of my finances; but that -is not the question now."

"Unfortunately."

"The present affair is to procure for me a second place of maid of honor."

"My friend, if you were to promise me heaven, I would not disturb myself at this moment."

Malicorne chinked the money in his pocket.

"There are twenty pistoles here," said Malicorne.

"And what would you do with twenty pistoles, mon Dieu!"

"Well," said Malicorne a little angrily, "suppose I were only to add them to the five hundred you already owe me?"

"You are right," replied Manicamp, stretching out his hand again, "and in that point of view I can accept them. Give them to me."

"An instant. What the devil! it is not only holding out your hand that will do; if I give you the twenty pistoles shall I have my brevet?"

"To be sure you shall."