“Yes, Monsieur, directly.”
“Then, if you please, inform him that M. le Comte de la Fere desires to speak to him for a moment.”
At the mention of the count’s name, one of the young men, no doubt accustomed to hear it pronounced with respect, immediately went to inform Planchet. It was at this moment that Raoul, after his painful scene with Montalais and De Guiche, arrived at the grocer’s house. Planchet, as soon as he received the count’s message, left his work and hastened to meet him.
“Ah, Monsieur the Count,” exclaimed he, “how glad I am to see you! What good star brings you here?”
“My dear Planchet,” said Athos, pressing the hand of his son, whose sad look he silently observed, “we are come to learn of you- But in what confusion do I find you! You are as white as a miller; where have you been rummaging?”
“Ah, diable! take care, Monsieur; don’t come near me till I have well shaken myself.”
“What for? Flour or dust only whitens.”
“No, no; what you see on my arms is arsenic.”
“Arsenic?”
“Yes; I am making my provision for the rats.”
“Ah! I suppose in an establishment like this the rats play a conspicuous part.”
“It is not with this establishment I concern myself, Monsieur the Count. The rats have robbed me of more here than they will ever rob me of again.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why, you may have observed, Monsieur, they are taking my inventory.”
“Are you leaving trade, then?”
“Eh, mon Dieu! yes. I have disposed of my business to one of my young men.”
“Bah! you are rich, then?”
“Monsieur, I have taken a dislike to the city. I don’t know whether it is because I am growing old, and, as M. d’Artagnan one day said, when we grow old we more often think of the things of our youth; but for some time past I have felt myself attracted towards the country and gardening. I was a countryman formerly”; and Planchet marked this confession with a somewhat pretentious laugh for a man making profession of humility.
Athos made a gesture of approval, and then added, “You are going to buy an estate, then?”
“I have bought one, Monsieur.”
“Ah! that is still better.”
“A little house at Fontainebleau, with something like twenty acres of land round it.”
“Very well, Planchet! Accept my compliments on your acquisition.”
“But, Monsieur, we are not comfortable here; the cursed dust makes you cough. Corbleu! I should not wish to poison the most worthy gentleman in the kingdom.”
Athos did not smile at this little pleasantry which Planchet had aimed at him to try his strength in fashionable humor.
“Yes,” said he; “let us have a little talk by ourselves,- in your own room, for example. You have a room, have you not?”
“Certainly, Monsieur the Count.”
“Upstairs, perhaps?” And Athos, seeing Planchet a little embarrassed, wished to relieve him by going first.
“It is- but-” said Planchet, hesitating.
Athos was mistaken in the cause of this hesitation, and attributing it to a fear the grocer might have of offering humble hospitality, “Never mind, never mind,” said he, still going up, “the dwelling of a tradesman in this quarter is not expected to be a palace. Come on!”
Raoul nimbly preceded him, and entered first. Two cries were heard simultaneously- we may say three. One of these cries dominated over the others; it was uttered by a woman. The other proceeded from the mouth of Raoul; it was an exclamation of surprise. He had no sooner made it than he shut the door sharply. The third was from fright; Planchet had uttered it. “I ask your pardon!” added he; “Madame is dressing.”
Raoul had, no doubt, seen that what Planchet said was true, for he turned round to go downstairs again.
“Madame?” said Athos. “Oh, pardon me, Planchet, I did not know that you had upstairs-”
“It is Truchen,” added Planchet, blushing a little.
“It is whoever you please, my good Planchet; pardon our indiscretion.”
“No, no; go up now, gentlemen.”
“We will do no such thing,” said Athos.
“Oh, Madame, having notice, has had time-”
“No, Planchet; farewell!”