Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/342

324 "I have passed a part of my life in the East, madame, and the Easterns value only two things—the breed of their horses and the beauty of their women."

"Nay, M. le Comte," said the baroness, "it would have been some what more gallant to have placed the ladies before the animals."

"You see, madame, how rightly I spoke when I said I required a preceptor to guide me in all my sayings and doings here."

At this instant the favorite attendant of Madame Danglars entered the boudoir; approaching her mistress, she spoke some words in an undertone. Madame Danglars turned very pale, then exclaimed:

"I cannot believe it; the thing is impossible."

"I assure you, madame," replied the woman, "it is even as I have said."

Turning impatiently toward her husband, Madame Danglars demanded, "Is this true?"

"Is what true, madame?" inquired Danglars, visibly agitated.

"What my maid tells me?"

"But what does she tell you?"

"That when my coachman was about to prepare my carriage, he discovered that the horses had been removed from the stables without his knowledge. I desire to know what is the meaning of this?"

"Be kind enough, madame, to listen to me," said Danglars.

"Fear not my listening; for I am curious to hear what you will say. These two gentlemen shall decide between us; but, first, I will state the case to them. Gentlemen," continued the baroness, "among the ten horses in the stables of M. le Baron Danglars, are two that belong to me the handsomest creatures in Paris. You know them, M. Debray my dappled grays. Well! I had promised Madame de Villefort the loan of my carnage to drive to-morrow to the Bois de Boulogne; but the grays are gone positively gone. No doubt M. Dauglars has made by the sale some thousands of francs. Heaven defend me from all the race of speculators!"

"Madame," replied Danglars, "the horses were not sufficiently quiet for you; they were scarcely four years old, and they made me extremely uneasy on your account."

"Nonsense!" retorted the baroness; "you could not have entertained any alarm on the subject, because you are perfectly well aware that I have recently engaged a coachman who is said to be the best in Paris. But, perhaps, you have disposed of the coachman as well as the horses?"

"My dear love! pray, do not say any more about them, and I promise you another pair exactly like them in appearance, only more quiet and steady."