Ten Years Later. Dumas Alexandre
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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 towards the young man: —
“Occupy Madame de Saint-Remy, either in disputing with her, or making it up with her; I must speak to Louise.” And, at the same time, a soft pressure of the hand recompensed Malicorne for his future obedience. Malicorne went grumbling towards Madame de Saint-Remy, whilst Montalais said to her friend, throwing one arm around her neck: —
“What is the matter? Tell me. Is it true that you would not love me if I were to shine, as your mother says?”
“Oh, no!” said the young girl, with difficulty restraining her tears; “on the contrary, I rejoice at your good fortune.”
“Rejoice! why, one would say you are ready to cry!”
“Do people never weep except from envy?”
“Oh! yes, I understand; I am going to Paris and that word Paris recalls to your mind a certain cavalier – ”
“Aure!”
“A certain cavalier who formerly lived near Blois, and who now resides at Paris.”
“In truth, I know not what ails me, but I feel stifled.”
“Weep, then, weep, as you cannot give me a smile!”
Louise raised her sweet face, which the tears, rolling down one after the other, illumined like diamonds.
“Come, confess,” said Montalais.
“What shall I confess?”
“What makes you weep; people don’t weep without cause. I am your friend; whatever you would wish me to do, I will do. Malicorne is more powerful than you would think. Do you wish to go to Paris?”
“Alas!” sighed Louise.
“Do you wish to come to Paris?”
“To remain here alone, in this old castle, I who have enjoyed the delightful habit of listening to your songs, of pressing your hand, of running about the park with you. Oh! how I shall be ennuyee! how quickly I shall die!”
“Do you wish to come to Paris?”
Louise breathed another sigh.
“You do not answer me.”
“What would you that I should reply?”
“Yes or no; that is not very difficult, I think.”
“Oh! you are very fortunate, Montalais!”
“That is to say you would like to be in my place.”
Louise was silent.
“Little obstinate thing!” said Montalais; “did ever any one keep her secrets from her friend thus? But, confess that you would like to come to Paris; confess that you are dying with the wish to see Raoul again.”
“I cannot confess that.”
“Then you are wrong.”
“In what way?”
“Because – do you not see this brevet?”
“To be sure I do.”
“Well, I would have got you a similar one.”
“By whose means?”
“Malicorne’s.”
“Aure, are you telling the truth? Is that possible?”
“Malicorne is there; and what he has done for me, he surely can do for you.”
Malicorne had heard his name pronounced twice; he was delighted at having an opportunity of coming to a conclusion with Madame de Saint-Remy, and he turned round: —
“What is the question, mademoiselle?”
“Come hither, Malicorne,” said Montalais, with an imperious gesture. Malicorne obeyed.
“A brevet like this,” said Montalais.
“How so?”
“A brevet like this; that is plain enough.”
“But – ”
“I want one – I must have one!”
“Oh! oh! you must have one!”
“Yes.”
“It is impossible, is it not, M. Malicorne?” said Louise, with her sweet, soft voice.
“If it is for you, mademoiselle – ”
“For me. Yes, Monsieur Malicorne, it would be for me.”
“And if Mademoiselle de Montalais asks it at the same time – ”
“Mademoiselle de Montalais does not ask it, she requires it.”
“Well! we will endeavor to obey you, mademoiselle.”
“And you will have her named?”
“We will try.”
“No evasive answers, Louise de la Valliere shall be maid of honor to Madame Henrietta within a week.”
“How you talk!”
“Within a week, or else – ”
“Well! or else?”
“You may take back your brevet, Monsieur Malicorne; I will not leave my friend.”
“Dear Montalais!”
“That is right. Keep your brevet; Mademoiselle de la Valliere shall be a maid of honor.”
“Is that true?”
“Quite true.”
“I may then hope to go to Paris?”
“Depend on it.”
“Oh! Monsieur Malicorne, what joy!” cried Louise, clapping her hands, and bounding with pleasure.
“Little dissembler!” said Montalais, “try again to make me believe you are not in love with Raoul.”
Louise blushed like a rose in June, but instead of replying, she ran and embraced her mother. “Madame,” said she, “do you know that M. Malicorne is going to have me appointed maid of honor?”
“M. Malicorne is a prince in disguise,” replied the old lady, “he is all-powerful, seemingly.”
“Should you also like to be a maid of honor?” asked Malicorne of Madame de Saint-Remy. “Whilst I am about it, I might as well get everybody appointed.”
And upon that he went away, leaving the poor lady quite disconcerted.
“Humph!” murmured Malicorne as he descended the stairs, – “Humph! there goes another note of a thousand livres! but I must get through as well as I can; my friend Manicamp does nothing for nothing.”
Chapter IV. Malicorne and Manicamp
The introduction of these two new personages into this history and that mysterious affinity of names and sentiments, merit some attention on the part of both historian and reader. We will then enter into some details concerning Messieurs Malicorne and Manicamp. Malicorne, we know, had made the journey to Orleans in search of the brevet destined for Mademoiselle de Montalais, the arrival of which had produced such a strong feeling at the castle of Blois. At that moment, M. de Manicamp was at Orleans. A singular person was this M. de Manicamp; a very intelligent