Page:Louise de la Valliere text.djvu/17

LOUISE DE LA VALLIERB. 7 "Monsieur d'Herblay, a gentleman!" "It's all the same to me whether he's a gentleman or not. He gives you the blue devils, that is all I know. And the blue devils make people get thin. Malaga! I have no notion of Monsieur d'Artagnan leaving my house thinner than he entered it." "How does he give me the blue devils, as you call it? Come, explain, explain." "You have had the nightmare during the last three nights." "I?" "Yes, you; and in your nightmare you called out several times, 'Aramis, sly Aramis!' " "Ah! I said that, did I?" murmured D'Artagnan un- easily. "Yes, those very words, upon my honor." "Well, what else? You know the saying, Planchet, 'dreams go by contraries.' " "Not so; for every time during the last three days, when you went out, you have not once failed to ask me, on your return, 'Have yon seen Monsieur d'Herblay?' or else, 'Have you received any letters for me from Monsieur d'Herblay ?' '* "Well, it is very natural I should take an interest in my old friend," said D'Artagnan. "Of course; but not to such an extent as to get thin from it." "Planchet, I'll get fatter; I'll give you my word of honor, I will." "Very well, monsieur, I accept it; for I know that when you give your word of honor it is sacred." "I will not dream of Aramis any longer, and I will never ask you again if there are any letters from Monsieur d'Her- blay, but on condition that you explain one thing to me." "Tell me what it is, monsieur." "I am a great observer; and just now you made use of a very singular oath, which is unusual for you." "You mean Malaga! I suppose?" "Precisely." "It is the oath I have used ever since I '^have been a grocer." "Very proper, too; it is the name of a dried grape, or raisin, I believe?" "It is my most ferocious oath; when I have once said Malaga! I am a man no longer." "Still, I never knew you use that oath before."