Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/40

30 "That is transparent enough, I think; you take that paper."

"Well?"

"And you set out instead of me."

"Ah!"

"You put your horses to their best speed."

"Good!"

"In six hours you will be at Etampes; in seven hours you have the letter from the comte, and I shall have won my wager without stirring from my bed, which suits me, and you, too, at the same time, I am very sure."

"Decidedly, Manicamp, you are a great man."

"Hein! I know that."

"I am to start, then, for Etampes?"

"Directly."

"I am to go to the Comte de Guiche with this order?"

"He will give you a similar one for Monsieur."

"Monsieur will approve?"

"Instantly."

"And I shall have my brevet?"

"You will."

"Ah!"

"Well, I hope I behave genteelly."

"Adorably."

"Thank you."

"You do as you please, then, with the Comte de Guiche, Malicorne?"

"Except making money of him — everything."

"Diable! the exception is annoying; but then, instead of asking him for money, you were to ask"

"What?"

"Something important."

"What do you call important?"

"Well, suppose one of your friends asked you to render him a service?"

"I would not render it to him."

"Selfish fellow!"

"Or, at least, I would ask him what service he would render me in exchange."

"Ah! that, perhaps, is fair. Well, that friend speaks to you."

"What, you, Malicorne?"

"Yes; it is I."

"Ah! ah! you are rich, then?"

"I have still fifty pistoles left."