On Malicorne's arrival at Orleans, he was informed that theComte de Guiche had just set out for Paris. Malicorne restedhimself for a couple of hours, and then prepared to continuehis journey. He reached Paris during the night, and alightedat a small hotel, where, in his previous journeys to thecapital, he had been accustomed to put up, and at eighto'clock the next morning presented himself at the HotelGrammont. Malicorne arrived just in time, for the Comte deGuiche was on the point of taking leave of Monsieur beforesetting out for Havre, where the principal members of theFrench nobility had gone to await Madame's arrival fromEngland. Malicorne pronounced the name of Manicamp and wasimmediately admitted. He found the Comte de Guiche in thecourtyard of the Hotel Grammont, inspecting his horses,which his trainers and equerries were passing in reviewbefore him. The count, in the presence of his tradespeopleand of his servants, was engaged in praising or blaming, asthe case seemed to deserve, the appointments, horses, andharness that were being submitted to him; when, in the midstof this important occupation, the name of Manicamp wasannounced.

"Manicamp!" he exclaimed, "let him enter by all means." Andhe advanced a few steps toward the door.

Malicorne slipped through the half-open door, and looking atthe Comte de Guiche, who was surprised to see a face he didnot recognize, instead of the one he expected, said:"Forgive me, monsieur le comte, but I believe a mistake hasbeen made. M. Manicamp himself was announced to you, insteadof which it is only an envoy from him."

"Ah!" exclaimed De Guiche, coldly, "and what do you bringme?"

"A letter, monsieur le comte." Malicorne handed him thefirst document, and narrowly watched the count's face, who,as he read it began to laugh.

"What!" he exclaimed, "another maid of honor? Are all themaids of honor in France, then, under his protection?"

Malicorne bowed. "Why does he not come himself?" heinquired.

"He is confined to his bed."

"The deuce! he has no money then, I suppose," said DeGuiche, shrugging his shoulders. "What does he do with hismoney?"

Malicorne made a movement, to indicate that upon thissubject he was as ignorant as the count himself. "Why doeshe not make use of his credit, then?" continued De Guiche.

"With regard to that, I think - - "

"What?"

"That Manicamp has credit with no one but yourself, monsieurle comte!"

"He will not be at Havre, then?" Whereupon Malicorne madeanother movement.

"But every one will be there."

"I trust, monsieur le comte, that he will not neglect soexcellent an opportunity."

"He should be at Paris by this time."

"He will take the direct road perhaps to make up for losttime."

"Where is he now?"

"At Orleans."

"Monsieur," said De Guiche, "you seem to me a man of verygood taste."

Malicorne was wearing some of Manicamp's old-new clothes. Hebowed in return, saying, "You do me a very great honor,monsieur le comte."

"Whom have I the pleasure of addressing?"

"My name is Malicorne, monsieur."

"M. de Malicorne, what do you think of thesepistol-holsters?"

Malicorne was a man of great readiness, and immediatelyunderstood the position of affairs. Besides, the "de" whichhad been prefixed to his name, raised him to the rank of theperson with whom he was conversing. He looked at theholsters with the air of a connoisseur and said, withouthesitation: "Somewhat heavy, monsieur."

"You see," said De Guiche to the saddler, "this gentleman,who understands these matters well, thinks the holstersheavy, a complaint I had already made." The saddler was fullof excuses.

"What do you think," asked De Guiche, "of this horse, whichI have just purchased?"

"To look at it, it seems perfect, monsieur le comte; but Imust mount it before I give you my opinion."

"Do so, M. de Malicorne, and ride him round the court two orthree times."

The courtyard of the hotel was so arranged, that wheneverthere was any occasion for it, it could be used as ariding-school. Malicorne, with perfect ease, arranged thebridle and snaffle-reins, placed his left hand on thehorse's mane, and, with his foot in the stirrup, raisedhimself and seated himself in the saddle. At first, he madethe horse walk the whole circuit of the court-yard at afoot-pace; next at a trot; lastly at a gallop. He then drewup close to the count, dismounted, and threw the bridle to agroom standing by. "Well," said the count, "what do youthink of it, M. de Malicorne?"

"This horse, monsieur le comte, is of the Mecklenburg breed.In looking whether the bit suited his mouth, I saw that hewas rising seven, the very age when the training of a horseintended for a charger should commence. The forehand islight. A horse which holds its head high, it is said, nevertires his rider's hand. The withers are rather low. Thedrooping of the hindquarters would almost make me doubt thepurity of its German breed, and I think there is Englishblood in him. He stands well on his legs, but he trots high,and may cut himself, which requires attention to be paid tohis shoeing. He is tractable; and as I made him turn roundand change his feet, I found him quick and ready in doingso."

"Well said, M. de Malicorne," exclaimed the comte; "you area judge of horses, I perceive;" then, turning towards himagain, he continued, "You are most becomingly dressed, M. deMalicorne. That is not a provincial cut, I presume. Such astyle of dress is not to be met with at Tours or Orleans."

"No, monsieur le comte; my clothes were made at Paris."

"There is no doubt about that. But let us resume our ownaffair. Manicamp wishes for the appointment of a second maidof honor."

"You perceive what he has written, monsieur le comte."

"For whom was the first appointment?"

Malicorne felt the color rise in his face as he answeredhurriedly.

"A charming maid of honor, Mademoiselle de Montalais."

"Ah, ah! you are acquainted with her?"

"We are affianced, or nearly so."

"That is quite another thing, then; a thousand compliments,"exclaimed De Guiche, upon whose lips a courtier's jest wasalready fitting, but to whom the word "affianced," addressedby Malicorne with respect to Mademoiselle de Montalais,recalled the respect due to women.

"And for whom is the second appointment destined?" asked DeGuiche, "is it for anyone to whom Manicamp may happen to beaffianced? In that case I pity her, poor girl! for she willhave a sad fellow for a husband."

"No, monsieur le comte, the second appointment is forMademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere."

"Unknown," said De Guiche.

"Unknown? yes, monsieur," said Malicorne, smiling in histurn.

"Very good. I will speak to Monsieur about it. By the by,she is of gentle birth?"

"She belongs to a very good family and is maid of honor toMadame."

"That's well. Will you accompany me to Monsieur?"

"Most certainly, if I may be permitted the honor."

"Have you your carriage?"

"No; I came here on horseback."

"Dressed as you are?"

"No, monsieur; I posted from Orleans, and I changed mytraveling suit for the one I have on, in order to presentmyself to you."

"True, you already told me you had come from Orleans;"saying which he crumpled Manicamp's letter in his hand, andthrust it in his pocket.

"I beg your pardon," said Malicorne, timidly; "but I do notthink you have read all."

"Not read all, do you say?"

"No, there were two letters in the same envelope."

"Oh! are you sure?"

"Quite sure."

"Let us look, then," said the count, as he opened the letteragain.

"Ah! you are right," he said, opening the paper which he hadnot yet read.

"I suspected it," he continued - "another application foran appointment under Monsieur. This Manicamp is a regularvampire: - he is carrying on a trade in it."

"No, monsieur le comte, he wishes to make a present of it."

"To whom?"

"To myself, monsieur."

"Why did you not say so at once, my dear M. Mauvaisecorne?"

"Malicorne, monsieur le comte."

"Forgive me; it is the Latin that bothers me - thatterrible mine of etymologies. Why the deuce are young men offamily taught Latin? Mala and mauvaise - you understand itis the same thing. You will forgive me, I trust, M. deMalicorne."

"Your kindness affects me much, monsieur: but it is a reasonwhy I should make you acquainted with one circumstancewithout any delay."

"What is it?"

"That I was not born a gentleman. I am not without courage,and not altogether deficient in ability; but my name isMalicorne simply."

"You appear to me, monsieur!" exclaimed the count, lookingat the astute face of his companion, "to be a most agreeableman. Your face pleases me, M. Malicorne, and you mustpossess some indisputably excellent qualities to havepleased that egotistical Manicamp. Be candid, and tell mewhether you are not some saint descended upon the earth."

"Why so?"

"For the simple reason that he makes you a present ofanything. Did you not say that he intended to make you apresent of some appointment in the king's house

"I beg your pardon, count; but, if I succeed in obtainingthe appointment, you, and not he, will have bestowed it onme."

"Besides, he will not have given it to you for nothing, Isuppose. Stay, I have it; - there is a Malicorne atOrleans, who lends money to the prince."

"I think that must be my father, monsieur."

"Ah! the prince has the father, and that terrible dragon ofa Manicamp has the son. Take care, monsieur, I know him. Hewill fleece you completely."

"The only difference is, that I lend without interest," saidMalicorne, smiling.

"I was correct in saying you were either a saint or verymuch resembled one. M. Malicorne, you shall have the postyou want, or I will forfeit my name."

"Ah! monsieur le comte, what a debt of gratitude shall I notowe you?" said Malicorne, transported.

"Let us go to the prince, my dear M. Malicorne." And DeGuiche proceeded toward the door, desiring Malicorne tofollow him. At the very moment they were about to cross thethreshold, a young man appeared on the other side. He wasfrom twenty-four to twenty-five years of age, of palecomplexion, bright eyes and brown hair and eyebrows.

"Good-day," he said, suddenly, almost pushing De Guiche backinto the courtyard again.

"Is that you, De Wardes? - What! and booted, spurred, andwhip in hand, too?"

"The most befitting costume for a man about to set off forHavre. There will be no one left in Paris tomorrow." Andhereupon he saluted Malicorne with great ceremony, whosehandsome dress gave him the appearance of a prince.

"M. Malicorne," said De Guiche to his friend. De Wardesbowed.

"M. de Wardes," said Guiche to Malicorne, who bowed inreturn. "By the by, De Wardes," continued De Guiche, "youwho are so well acquainted with these matters, can you tellus, probably, what appointments are still vacant at thecourt; or rather in the prince's household?"

"In the prince's household," said De Wardes, looking up withan air of consideration, "let me see - the appointment ofthe master of the horse is vacant, I believe."

"Oh," said Malicorne, "there is no question of such a postas that, monsieur; my ambition is not nearly so exalted."

De Wardes had a more penetrating observation than De Guiche,and fathomed Malicorne immediately. "The fact is," he said,looking at him from head to foot, "a man must be either aduke or a peer to fill that post."

"All I solicit," said Malicorne, "is a very humbleappointment; I am of little importance, and I do not rankmyself above my position."

"M. Malicorne, whom you see here," said De Guiche to DeWardes, "is a very excellent fellow, whose only misfortuneis that of not being of gentle birth. As far as I amconcerned, you know, I attach little value to those who havebut gentle birth to boast of."

"Assuredly," said De Wardes; "but will you allow me toremark, my dear count, that, without rank of some sort, onecan hardly hope to belong to his royal highness'shousehold?"

"You are right," said the count, "court etiquette isabsolute. The devil! - we never so much as gave it athought."

"Alas! a sad misfortune for me, monsieur le comte," saidMalicorne, changing color.

"Yet not without remedy, I hope," returned De Guiche.

"The remedy is found easily enough," exclaimed De Wardes;"you can be created a gentleman. His Eminence, the CardinalMazarin, did nothing else from morning till night"

"Hush, hush, De Wardes," said the count; "no jests of thatkind; it ill becomes us to turn such matters into ridicule.Letters of nobility, it is true, are purchasable; but thatis a sufficient misfortune without the nobles themselveslaughing at it."

"Upon my word, De Guiche, you're quite a Puritan, as theEnglish say."

At this moment the Vicomte de Bragelonne was announced byone of the servants in the courtyard, in precisely the samemanner as he would have done in a room.

"Come here, my dear Raoul. What! you, too, booted andspurred? You are setting off, then?"

Bragelonne approached the group of young men, and salutedthem with that quiet and serious manner peculiar to him. Hissalutation was principally addressed to De Wardes, with whomhe was unacquainted, and whose features, on his perceivingRaoul, had assumed a strange sternness of expression. "Ihave come, De Guiche," he said, "to ask your companionship.We set off for Havre, I presume."

"This is admirable - delightful. We shall have a mostenjoyable journey. M. Malicorne, M. Bragelonne - ah! M. deWardes, let me present you." The young men saluted eachother in a restrained manner. Their very natures seemed,from the beginning, disposed to take exception to eachother. De Wardes was pliant, subtle, full of dissimulation;Raoul was calm, grave, and upright. "Decide between us - between De Wardes and myself, Raoul."

"Upon what subject?"

"Upon the subject of noble birth."

"Who can be better informed on that subject than a DeGrammont?"

"No compliments; it is your opinion I ask."

"At least, inform me of the subject under discussion."

"De Wardes asserts that the distribution of titles isabused; I, on the contrary, maintain that a title is uselessto the man on whom it is bestowed."

"And you are correct," said Bragelonne, quietly.

"But, monsieur le vicomte," interrupted De Wardes, with akind of obstinacy, "I affirm that it is I who am correct."

"What was your opinion, monsieur?"

"I was saying that everything is done in France at thepresent moment to humiliate men of family."

"And by whom?"

"By the king himself. He surrounds himself with people whocannot show four quarterings."

"Nonsense," said De Guiche, "where could you possibly haveseen that, De Wardes?"

"One example will suffice," he returned, directing his lookfully upon Raoul.

"State it then."

"Do you know who has just been nominated captain-general ofthe musketeers? - an appointment more valuable than apeerage; for it gives precedence over all the marechals ofFrance."

Raoul's color mounted in his face; for he saw the object DeWardes had in view. "No; who has been appointed? In any caseit must have been very recently, for the appointment wasvacant eight days ago; a proof of which is, that the kingrefused Monsieur, who solicited the post for one of hisproteges."

"Well, the king refused it to Monsieur's protege, in orderto bestow it upon the Chevalier d'Artagnan, a youngerbrother of some Gascon family, who has been trailing hissword in the ante-chambers during the last thirty years."

"Forgive me if I interrupt you," said Raoul, darting aglance full of severity at De Wardes; "but you give me theimpression of being unacquainted with the gentleman of whomyou are speaking."

"I not acquainted with M. d'Artagnan? Can you tell me,monsieur, who does not know him?"

"Those who do know him, monsieur," replied Raoul with stillgreater calmness and sternness of manner, "are in the habitof saying, that if he is not as good a gentleman as the king- which is not his fault - he is the equal of all thekings of the earth in courage and loyalty. Such is myopinion, monsieur, and I thank heaven I have known M.d'Artagnan from my birth."

De Wardes was about to reply, when De Guiche interruptedhim.