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46 TEN" YEARS LATER. somewhat uneasy at the tone in which Giiiche had made his remark, "but I had no intention of doing so, and I begin to believe that I have mistaken one young lady for another." "There is no doubt of it, monsieur; and I do not hesitate to declare that such is the case." "Do you attach much importance to it, Guiche?" in- quired the prince. "I do, my lord." "Well, you shall have it; but ask me for no more appoint- ments, for there are none to give away." "Ah!" exclaimed the chevalier, "midday already; that is the hour fixed for the departure." "You dismiss me, monsieur?" inquired Guiche. "Eeally, comte, you treat me very ill to-day/' replied the chevalier. "For heaven's sake, comte, for heaven's sake, chevalier," said Monsieur, "do you not see how you are distressing me?" "My signature?" said Guiche. "Take a blank appointment from that drawer, and give it to me." Guiche handed the prince the document indi- cated, and at the same time presented him with a pen al- ready dipped in ink; whereupon the prince signed. "Here," he said, returning him the appointment; "but I give it on one condition." "Name it." "That you will make friends with the chevalier." "Willingly," said Guiche. And he held out his hand to the chevalier with an indifference amounting to contempt. "Adieu, comte," said the chevalier, without seeming in any way to have noticed the comte's slight; "adieu, and bring us back a princess who will not talk with her own portrait too much." "Yes, set off and lose no time. By the bye, who accom- panies you?" "Bragelonne and De Wardes." "Both excellent and fearless companions." "Too fearless," said the chevalier; "endeavor to bring them both back, comte." "Bad heart, bad heart," murmured De Guiche; "he scents mischief everywhere, and sooner than anything else " And taking leave of the prince, he quitted the apartment. As soon as he reached the vestibule he waved in the air the paper which the prince had signed. Malicorne hurried for- ward, and received it trembling with delight. When, how- ever, he held it in his hand, Guiche observed that he still awaited something further.