which preceded the refectory, welcomed the newcomer with
the proverbial politeness of the country; some of them were
acquainted with Kaoul, and all knew that he came from
Paris. It might be said that his arrival for a moment suspended the service. In fact, a page, who was pouring out
wine for his royal highness, on hearing the jingling of spurs
in the next chamber, turned round like a child, without
perceiving that he was continuing to pour out, not into the
glass, but upon the tablecloth.
Madame, who was not so preoccupied as her glorious spouse was, remarked this distraction of the page.
"Well?" exclaimed she.
"Well!" repeated Monsieur; "what is going on then?"
M. de St. Remy, who had just introduced his head through the doorway, took advantage of the moment.
"Why am I to be disturbed?" said Gaston, helping himself to a thick slice of one of the largest salmon that had ever ascended the Loire to be captured between Painbœuf and St. Nazaire.
"There is a messenger from Paris. Oh! but after monseigneur has breakfasted will do; there is plenty of time."
"From Paris!" cried the prince, letting his fork fall.
"A messenger from Paris, do you say? And on whose part does this messenger come?"
"On the part of Monsieur le Prince," said the maître d'hôtel promptly.
Every one knows that the Prince de Conde was so called.
"A messenger from Monsieur le Prince!" said Gaston, with an inquietude that escaped none of the assistants, and consequently redoubled the general curiosity.
Monsieur, perhaps, fancied himself brought back again to the happy times when the opening of a door gave him an emotion, in which every letter might contain a state secret—in which every message was connected with a dark and complicated intrigue. Perhaps, likewise, the great name of M. le Prince expanded itself, beneath the roofs of Blois, into proportions of a phantom.
Monsieur pushed away his plate.
"Shall I tell the envoy to wait?" said M. de St. Remy.
A glance from madame emboldened Gaston, who replied: "No, no; let him come in at once, on the contrary. Apropos, who is he?"
"A gentleman of this country, Monsieur le Vicomte de Bragelonne."
"Ah, very well! Introduce him, St. Remy—introduce him."
