hilarity, “monsieur is your protector! Is the man whose
credit is so powerful, and whose promises are as good as
deeds, Monsieur Malicorne?”
Malicorne bowed.
As to Montalais, as her sole reply, she drew the brevet from
her pocket, and showed it to the old lady.
“Here is the brevet,” said she.
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
At once all was over. As soon as she had cast a rapid glance
over this fortunate brevet, the good lady clasped her hands,
an unspeakable expression of envy and despair contracted her
countenance, and she was obliged to sit down to avoid
fainting. Montalais was not malicious enough to rejoice
extravagantly at her victory, or to overwhelm the conquered
enemy, particularly when that enemy was the mother of her
friend; she used then, but did not abuse, her triumph.
Malicorne was less generous; he assumed noble poses in his
fauteuil, and stretched himself out with a familiarity
which, two hours earlier, would have drawn upon him threats
of a caning.
“Maid of honor to the young madame!” repeated Madame de
Saint-Remy, still but half convinced.
“Yes, madame, and through the protection of M. Malicorne,
moreover.”
“It is incredible!” repeated the old lady: “is it not
incredible, Louise?” But Louise did not reply; she was
sitting, thoughtful, almost sad; passing one hand over her
beautiful brow she sighed heavily.
“Well, but, monsieur,” said Madame de Saint-Remy, all at
once, “how did you manage to obtain this post?”
“I asked for it, madame.”
“Of whom?”
“One of my friends.”
“And have you friends sufficiently powerful at court to give
you such proofs of their credit?”
“It appears so.”
“And may one ask the name of these friends?”
“I did not say I had many friends, madame, I said I had one
friend.”
And that friend is called?”
“Peste! madame, you go too far! When one has a friend as
powerful as mine, we do not publish his name in that
fashion, in open day, in order that he may be stolen from
us.”
“You are right, monsieur, to be silent as to that name; for
I think it would be pretty difficult for you to tell it.”
“At all events,” said Montalais, “if the friend does not
exist, the brevet does, and that cuts short the question.”
“Then, I conceive,” said Madame de Saint-Remy, with the
gracious smile of the cat who is going to scratch, “when I
found monsieur here just now —- ”
“Well?”
“He brought you the brevet.”
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“Exactly, madame, you have guessed rightly.”
“Well, then, nothing can be more moral or proper.”
“I think so, madame.”
“And I have been wrong, as it appears, in reproaching you,
mademoiselle.”
“Very wrong, madame; but I am so accustomed to your
reproaches, that I pardon you these.”
“In that case, let us begone, Louise; we have nothing to do
but to retire. Well!”
“Madame!” said La Valliere, starting, “did you speak?”
“You do not appear to be listening, my child.”
“No, madame, I was thinking.”
“About what?”
“A thousand things.”
“You bear me no ill-will, at least, Louise?” cried
Montalais, pressing her hand.
“And why should I, my dear Aure?” replied the girl in a
voice soft as a flute.
“Dame!” resumed Madame de Saint-Remy; “if she did bear you a
little ill-will, poor girl, she could not be much blamed.”
“And why should she bear me ill-will, good gracious?”
“It appears to me that she is of as good a family, and as
pretty as you.”
“Mother! mother!” cried Louise.
“Prettier a hundred times, madame — not of a better family;
but that does not tell me why Louise should bear me
ill-will”
“Do you think it will be very amusing for her to be buried
alive at Blois, when you are going to shine at Paris?”
“But, madame, it is not I who prevent Louise following me
thither; on the contrary, I should certainly be most happy
if she came there.”
“But it appears that M. Malicorne, who is all-powerful at
court —- ”
“Ah! so much the worse, madame,” said Malicorne, “every one
for himself in this poor world.”
“Malicorne! Malicorne!” said Montalais. Then stooping