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Updated: June 26, 2025
"Do you mean that they are aware of the manner by which De Croisenois hopes to succeed?" "Look here?" answered Tantaine. "A general, on the eve of a battle, takes every precaution, but among his subordinates there are always fools, if not traitors. I had arranged a pretty little scene between Croisenois and Van Klopen, by which the Viscountess would be securely trapped.
Mascarin saw that Paul's temper might blaze forth at any moment, and so hastened to put an end to a scene which was as absurd as it was dangerous. "Well, Van Klopen, I will say farewell," said he. "Good morning, madame; good morning, sir;" and taking Paul by the arm, he led him away by a private exit which did not necessitate their passing through the great reception-room.
"Every morning, when I get to the shop, I take off this simple costume, and I put on a sort of livery that belongs to M. Van Klopen, wide skirts, and a black silk dress. "Then whenever a customer comes who wants a cloak, a mantle, or some other 'wrapping, I step up and put on the garment, that the purchaser may see how it looks. I have to walk, to turn around, sit down, etc.
The baron must really have started to leave the room, for his wife exclaimed: "One word more: have you quite decided?" "Oh, fully!" "You are resolved to leave me exposed to the persecutions of my dressmaker?" "Van Klopen is too charming and polite to cause you the least worry." "You will brave the disgrace of a law-suit?" "Nonsense!
I was about to ring and inquire the cause, when the door flew open and in came Van Klopen, the ladies' tailor, with a very inflamed countenance. I thought that he had come in a hurry because he had hit on something extremely fetching and wished me to be the first to see it. But do you know what the impudent fellow wanted?" A smile shone in De Breulh's eyes, as he answered, "Money, perhaps!"
The baron, who had been so favorably disposed toward him, and from whom he was expecting a great service, would undoubtedly hate him, undoubtedly become his enemy, when he learned that he had been a listener, although an involuntary one, to this conversation with Van Klopen. How did it happen that he had been placed in this dangerous position? What had become of the footman who had taken his card?
Since I thought I had discovered a mystery in my existence, I indulged in all sorts of fancies, and was momentarily expecting some extraordinary occurrence, some compensation of destiny, and I remained. "But I was not yet at the end of my troubles." Since she had been speaking of M. Van Klopen, Mlle.
"Leave, leave, I tell you, or I sha'n't have the patience to wait for a servant!" He must have joined action to word, and have seized Van Klopen by the collar to thrust him into the hall, for Pascal heard a sound of scuffling, a series of oaths worthy of a coal-heaver, two or three frightened cries from the baroness, and several guttural exclamations in German.
Shut up in the sanctum where he composed the numberless costumes that were the wonder and delight of Paris, Van Klopen made as careful arrangements to secure himself from the interview as the Turk does to guard the approaches to his seraglio; and so Andre and Gandelu were accosted in the entrance hall by his stately footmen, clad in gorgeous liveries, glittering with gold.
At two o'clock the carriage is coming to take me to the bois, where I am to exhibit this costume, certainly the most ridiculous that Van Klopen has yet made me wear." A smile flitted upon Maxence's lips. "Who knows," said he, "if this is not the last time you will have to perform this odious task? Ah, my friend! what events have taken place since I last saw you!" "Fortunate ones?"
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