Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/45

Rh TEN TEARS L.^TER. 60 "This horse, Monsieur le Comte, is of the Mecklenburg breed. In looking whether the bit suited his mouth, I saw that he was rising seven, the very age when the training of a horse intended for a charger should commence. The forehand is light. A horse that 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 German breed, and I think there is English blood in him. lie stands well on his legs, but he trots high, and may cut himself, which requires at- tention to be paid to his shoeing. He is tractable; and as I made him turn round and change his feet, I found him quick and ready in doing so." "Well said. Monsieur de Malicornel" exclaimed the comte. "You are a judge of horses, I perceive;" then, turn- ing toward him again, he continued: "You are most becom- ingly dressed. Monsieur 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 of 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 whom was the first appointment?" . Malicorne felt the color rise in his face as he answered hurriedly: "A charming 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 compli- ments!" exclaimed De Guiche, upon whose lips a courtier's jest was already flitting, but to whom the word "affianced," addressed by Malicorne with respect to Mile, de Montalais, recalled the respect due to women. "And for whom is the second appointment destined?" asked De Guiche; "is it for any one to whom Manicamp may happen to be aifianced? In that case, I pity her, poor girl! for she will have a sad fellow for a husband in him." "No, Monsieur le Comte; the second appointment is for Mademoiselle la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere." "Unknown," said De Guiche. "Unknown? yes, monsieur," said Malicorne, smiling in his turn.