Page:Ten Years Later 2.djvu/44

34 TEN YEARS LATER. "I trust, Monsieur le Comte, that he will not neglect so excellent an opportunity." "He should be at Paris by this time." "He will take the direct road, then, to make up for lost time." "Where is he now?" "At Orleans." "Monsieur," said De Guiche, you seem to me a man of very good taste." Malicorne wore Manicamp's clothes. He bowed in re- turn, saying: ' "You do me a very great honor. Monsieur le Comte." "Whom have I the pleasure of addressing?" "My name is Malicorne, monsieur." "Monsieur de Malicorne, what do you think of these pistol-holsters?" Malicorne was a man of great readiness, and immediately understood the position of affairs. Besides, the "de" which had been prefixed to his name raised him to the rank of the person with whom he was conversing. He looked at the holsters with the air of a connoisseur, and said, without hesitation: "Somewhat heavy, monsieur." "You see," said De Guiche to the saddler, "this gentle- man, who understands these matters well, thinks the holsters heavy, a complaint I had already made." The saddler was full of excuses. "What do you think," asked De Guiche, "of this horse v.'hich I have Just purchased?" "To look at it, it seems perfect. Monsieur le Comte; but I must mount it before I give you my opinion." "Do so. Monsieur de Malicorne, and ride him round the court two or three times." The courtyard of the hotel was so arranged that when- ever there was any occasion for it, it could be used as a riding-school. Malicorne, with perfect ease, arranged the bridle and snaffle-reins, placed his left hand on the horse's mane, and, with his foot in the stirrup, raised himself and seated himself in the saddle. At first he made the horse walk the whole circuit of the courtyard at a foot-pace; next at a trot; lastly at a gallop. He then drew up close to the count, dismounted, and threw the bridle to a groom stand- ing by. "Well," said the comte, "what do you think of it. Mon- sieur de Malicorne?"