Page:The Man in the Iron Mask.djvu/53

Rh "Oh, bah! there are two days yet; 'tis mnch more than you require. Monsieur Percerin," said D'Artagnan, in the coolest possible manner.

Percerin raised his head with the air of a man little accustomed to be contradicted, even in his whims; but D'Artagnan did not pay the least attention to the airs which the illustrious tailor began to assume.

"My dear Monsieur Percerin," he continued, "I bring you a customer."

"Ah! ah!" exclaimed Percerin crossly.

"Monsieur le Baron du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds," continued D'Artagnan.

Percerin attempted to bow, which found no favor in the eyes of the terrible Porthos, who, from his first entry into the room, had been regarding the tailor askance.

"A very good friend of mine," concluded D'Artagnan.

"I will attend to monsieur," said Percerin, "but later."

"Later? But when?"

"When I have time."

"You have already told my valet as much," broke in Porthos discontentedly.

"Very likely," said Percerin; "I am nearly always pushed for time."

"My friend," returned Porthos sententiously, "there is always time when one chooses to find it."

Percerin turned crimson; a very ominous sign indeed in old men blanched by age.

"Monsieur is very free to confer his custom elsewhere."

"Come, come, Percerin," interposed D'Artagnan, "you are not in a good temper to-day. Well, I will say one more word to you, which will bring you on your knees; monsieur is not only a friend of mine, but more, a friend of Monsieur Fouquet."

"Ah! ah!" exclaimed the tailor, "that is another thing."

Then, turning to Porthos, "Monsieur le Baron is attached to the surintendant?" he inquired.

"I am attached to myself," shouted Porthos, at the very moment that the tapestry was raised to introduce a new speaker in the dialogue. Molière was all observation, D'Artagnan laughed, Porthos swore.

"My dear Percerin," said D'Artagnan, "you will make a dress for the baron. 'Tis I who ask you."

"To you I will not say nay, captain."

"But that is not all; you will make it for him at once."

"'Tis impossible before eight days."