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On her side Montalais was no miser with stories. By her means Malicorne learnt all that passed at Blois, in the family of the dowager Madame; and he related to Manicamp tales that made him ready to die with laughing, which the latter, out of idleness, took ready-made to M. de Guiche, who carried them to Monsieur.
If his noble companion had stolen some fruit destined for Madame la Marechale, if he had broken a mirror, or put out a dog's eye, Manicamp declared himself guilty of the crime committed, and received the punishment, which was not made the milder for falling on the innocent.
"What are they?" "In haste." Malicorne returned the recommendation; Manicamp added the words. "Good," said Malicorne, taking back the paper. Manicamp began to count out the pistoles. "There want twenty," said he. "How so?" "The twenty I have won." "In what way?" "By laying that you would have the letter from the Comte de Guiche in eight hours."
Manicamp quitted the king's apartment, delighted at having succeeded so well, when, just as he reached the bottom of the staircase and was passing a doorway, he felt that some one suddenly pulled him by the sleeve.
But let us resume our own affair. Manicamp wishes for the appointment of a second maid of honor." "You perceive what he has written, monsieur le comte." "For whom was the first appointment?" Malicorne felt the color rise in his face as he answered hurriedly. "A charming maid of honor, Mademoiselle de Montalais." "Ah, ah! you are acquainted with her?" "We are affianced, or nearly so."
"Well, be it so; I lay," said Malicorne, curious to know how this seller of clothes would get through. "Is it agreed?" "It is." "Pass me the pen, ink, and paper. "Here they are." "Thank you." Manicamp raised himself with a sigh, and leaning on his left elbow, in his best hand, traced the following lines:
"And so the duke is madly in love with Madame, so the rumor runs, and will have no one approach her but himself." De Guiche colored. "Thank you, thank you," said he to Manicamp, grasping his hand.
"Oh!" cried Madame, as if she had been alone, "is it possible the quarrel was on my account!" Manicamp felt he could now breathe for a moment and gallantly had he won the right to do so. Madame, on her side, remained for some time plunged in a painful reverie.
"That is precisely the very reflection I was silently making to myself," replied Bragelonne. "Shall we get into that boat, then, and push off? Will you come, De Wardes?" "Take care, or you will get drowned," said Manicamp. "And for no purpose," said De Wardes, "for with the wind in your teeth, as it will be, you will never reach the vessels." "You refuse, then?"
"In the first place, a true knight would not have asked such a question, but would have followed me without requiring any explanation." "Well, mademoiselle, I am quite ready to conduct myself as a true knight." "No; it is too late, and you cannot take the credit of it. We are going to Madame's apartment, so come at once." "Ah, ah!" said Manicamp. "Lead on, then."
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