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Updated: May 18, 2025
"No, but I have forgotten Monsieur Grimaud." "My lord understands that there can be no supper unless he is allowed to be present." "Go on, then; have it your own way." "Come here, my lad," said La Ramee, "and hear what I have to say." Grimaud approached, with a very sullen expression on his face.
The donjon of Vincennes was considered very unhealthy and Madame de Rambouillet had said that the room in which the Marechal Ornano and the Grand Prior de Vendome had died was worth its weight in arsenic a bon mot which had great success. So it was ordered the prisoner was henceforth to eat nothing that had not previously been tasted, and La Ramee was in consequence placed near him as taster.
"Does your highness wish to take revenge for the game of tennis yesterday?" Grimaud intimated by a scarcely perceptible nod that he should consent. "Yes," said the duke, "but take care, my dear La Ramee, for I propose to beat you badly." La Ramee went out. Grimaud looked after him, and when the door was closed he drew out of his pocket a pencil and a sheet of paper. "Write, my lord," he said.
Why didst thou take it?" "Yes why?" asked La Ramee. Grimaud, who held the piece of glass in his hand, said: "Sharp." "True, my lord!" exclaimed La Ramee. "Ah! deuce take it! we have a precious fellow here!" "Monsieur Grimaud!" said the duke, "for your sake I beg of you, never come within the reach of my fist!" "Hush! hush!" cried La Ramee, "give me your gibbet, my lord.
"And now," said La Ramee, "I must ask your highness's pardon, but it seems that Monsieur de Chavigny is to be away for a few days and he has sent me word that he has certain directions to give me before his departure." The duke tried to exchange a glance with Grimaud, but there was no glance in Grimaud's eyes. "Go, then," said the duke, "and return as soon as possible."
So, after a thousand questions which met with only a word in reply, La Ramee, fascinated by this sobriety in speech, rubbed his hands and engaged Grimaud. "My orders?" asked Grimaud. "They are these; never to leave the prisoner alone; to keep away from him every pointed or cutting instrument, and to prevent his conversing any length of time with the keepers." "Those are all?" asked Grimaud.
"All now," replied La Ramee. "Good," answered Grimaud; and he went right to the prisoner. The duke was in the act of combing his beard, which he had allowed to grow, as well as his hair, in order to reproach Mazarin with his wretched appearance and condition.
The devil it does!" said La Ramee, scratching his head; "you are in the wrong to tell me that, my lord. I shall have to watch the men who pick up balls." The duke smiled. "But," resumed La Ramee, "that is only a way of corresponding." "And that is a great deal, it seems to me." "But not enough."
The duke was in full strength and beat La Ramee completely. Four of the guards, who were constantly near the prisoner, assisted in picking up the tennis balls. When the game was over, the duke, laughing at La Ramee for his bad play, offered these men two louis d'or to go and drink his health, with their four other comrades.
These bitter-sweet pleasantries lasted ten minutes, sometimes longer, but always finished thus: Monsieur de Chavigny, turning toward the door, used to call out: "Halloo! La Ramee!" La Ramee came into the room. "La Ramee, I recommend Monsieur le Duc to you, particularly; treat him as a man of his rank and family ought to be treated; that is, never leave him alone an instant."
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