Ten Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part two

Farewell, Manicamp,” and he left the room.

Page 478

Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

CHAPTER 81

The Courtyard of the Hotel Grammont

On Malicorne’s arrival at Orleans, he was informed that the

Comte de Guiche had just set out for Paris. Malicorne rested

himself for a couple of hours, and then prepared to continue

his journey. He reached Paris during the night, and alighted

at a small hotel, where, in his previous journeys to the

capital, he had been accustomed to put up, and at eight

o’clock the next morning presented himself at the Hotel

Grammont. Malicorne arrived just in time, for the Comte de

Guiche was on the point of taking leave of Monsieur before

setting out for Havre, where the principal members of the

French nobility had gone to await Madame’s arrival from

England. Malicorne pronounced the name of Manicamp and was

immediately admitted. He found the Comte de Guiche in the

courtyard of the Hotel Grammont, inspecting his horses,

which his trainers and equerries were passing in review

before him. The count, in the presence of his tradespeople

and of his servants, was engaged in praising or blaming, as

the case seemed to deserve, the appointments, horses, and

harness that were being submitted to him; when, in the midst

of this important occupation, the name of Manicamp was

announced.

“Manicamp!” he exclaimed, “let him enter by all means.” And

he advanced a few steps toward the door.

Malicorne slipped through the half-open door, and looking at

the Comte de Guiche, who was surprised to see a face he did

not recognize, instead of the one he expected, said:

“Forgive me, monsieur le comte, but I believe a mistake has

been made. M. Manicamp himself was announced to you, instead

of which it is only an envoy from him.”

“Ah!” exclaimed De Guiche, coldly, “and what do you bring

me?”

“A letter, monsieur le comte.” Malicorne handed him the

first document, and narrowly watched the count’s face, who,

as he read it began to laugh.

“What!” he exclaimed, “another maid of honor? Are all the

maids of honor in France, then, under his protection?”

Malicorne bowed. “Why does he not come himself?” he

inquired.

“He is confined to his bed.”

“The deuce! he has no money then, I suppose,” said De

Guiche, shrugging his shoulders. “What does he do with his

money?”

Malicorne made a movement, to indicate that upon this

subject he was as ignorant as the count himself. “Why does

he not make use of his credit, then?” continued De Guiche.

“With regard to that, I think —- ”

Page 479

Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

“What?”

“That Manicamp has credit with no one but yourself, monsieur

le comte!”

“He will not be at Havre, then?” Whereupon Malicorne made

another movement.

“But every one will be there.”

“I trust, monsieur le comte, that he will not neglect so

excellent an opportunity.”

“He should be at Paris by this time.”

“He will take the direct road perhaps to make up for lost

time.”

“Where is he now?”

“At Orleans.”

“Monsieur,” said De Guiche, “you seem to me a man of very

good taste.”

Malicorne was wearing some of Manicamp’s old-new clothes. He

bowed in return, saying, “You do me a very great honor,

monsieur le comte.”

“Whom have I the pleasure of addressing?”

“My name is Malicorne, monsieur.”

“M. de Malicorne, what do you think of these

pistol-holsters?”

Malicorne was a man of great readiness, and immediately

understood the position of affairs. Besides, the “de” which

had been prefixed to his name, raised him to the rank of the

person with whom he was conversing. He looked at the

holsters with the air of a connoisseur and said, without

hesitation: “Somewhat heavy, monsieur.”

“You see,” said De Guiche to the saddler, “this gentleman,

who understands these matters well, thinks the holsters

heavy, a complaint I had already made.” The saddler was full

of excuses.

“What do you think,” asked De Guiche, “of this horse, which

I have just purchased?”

“To look at it, it seems perfect, monsieur le comte; but I

must mount it before I give you my opinion.”

“Do so, M. de Malicorne, and ride him round the court two or

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