we have a telegraph which corresponds in three or four hours, and that without putting it the least in the world out of breath."
"Ah, sire, you recompense but badly this poor young man, who has come so far, and with so much ardor, to give your majesty useful information. If only for the sake of M. de Salvieux, who recommends him to me, I entreat your majesty to receive him graciously."
"M. de Salvieux, my brother's chamberlain?"
"Yes, sire."
"He is at Marseilles."
"And writes me thence."
"Does he speak to you of this conspiracy?"
"No, but strongly recommends M, de Villefort, and begs me to present him to your majesty."
"M. de Villefort!" cried the king; "is the messenger's name M. de Villefort?"
"Yes, sire."
"And he comes from Marseilles?"
"In person."
"Why did you not mention his name at once?" replied the king, betraying some uneasiness.
"Sire, I thought his name was unknown to your majesty."
"No, no, Blacas; he is a man of strong and elevated understanding, ambitious too, and, pardieu! you know his father's name!"
"His father?"
"Yes, Noirtier."
"Noirtier the Grirondin? — Noirtier the senator?"
"He himself."
"And your majesty has employed the son of such a man?"
"Blacas, my friend, you have but limited comprehension. I told you Villefort was ambitious, and to attain this ambition Villefort would sacrifice everything, even his father."
"Then, sire, may I present him?"
"This instant, count! Where is he?"
"Waiting below, in my carriage."
"Seek him at once."
"I hasten to do so."
The count left the royal presence with the speed of a young man: his really sincere royalism made him youthful again. Louis XVIII, remained alone, and, turning his eyes on his half-opened Horace, muttered:
Justum et tenacem propositi virum.
M, de Blacas returned with the same rapidity he had descended, but
