"This horse, monsieur le comte, is of the Mecklenburg breed. In looking whether the bit suited his mouth, I saw that he was rising seven, the very age when the training of a horse intended for a charger should commence. The forehand is light. A horse which holds its head high, it is said, never tires his rider's hand. The withers are rather low. The drooping of the hindquarters would almost make me doubt the purity of its German breed, and I think there is English blood in him. He stands well on his legs, but he trots high, and may cut himself, which requires attention to be paid to his shoeing. He is tractable; and as I made him turn round and change his feet, I found him quick and ready in doing so."
"Well said, M. de Malicorne," exclaimed the comte; "you are a judge of horses, I perceive;" then, turning towards him again, he continued, "you are most becomingly dressed, M. de Malicorne. That is not a provincial cut, I presume. Such a style 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 own affair. Manicamp wishes for the appointment of a second maid of 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 answered hurriedly.
"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 was already fitting, but to whom the word "affianced," addressed by Malicorne with respect to Mademoiselle de Montalais, recalled the respect due to women.
"And for whom is the second appointment destined?" asked De Guiche; "is it for anyone to whom Manicamp may happen to be affianced? In that case I pity her, poor girl! for she will have a sad fellow for a husband."
"No, monsieur le comte; the second appointment is for Mademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere."
"Unknown," said De Guiche.
"Unknown? yes, monsieur," said Malicorne, smiling in his turn.
"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 to Madame."
"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 my traveling suit for the one I have on, in order to present myself to you."
"True, you already told me you had come from Orleans;" saying which he crumpled Manicamp's letter in his hand, and thrust it in his pocket.
"I beg your pardon," said Malicorne, timidly; "but I do not think 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 letter again.
"Ah! you are right," he said opening the paper which he had not yet read.
"I suspected it," he continued"another application for an appointment under Monsieur. This Manicamp is a regular vampire: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 that Latin that bothers methat terrible mine of etymologies. Why the deuce are young men of family taught Latin? Mala and mauvaiseyou understand it is the same thing. You will forgive me, I trust, M. de Malicorne."
"Your kindness affects me much, monsieur: but it is a reason why I should make you acquainted with one circumstance without 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 is Malicorne simply."
"You appear to me, monsieur!" exclaimed the count, looking at the astute face of his companion, "to be a most agreeable man. Your face pleases me, M. Malicorne, and you must possess some indisputably excellent qualities to have pleased that egotistical Manicamp. Be candid and tell me whether you are not some saint descended upon the earth."
"Why so?"
"For the simple reason that he makes you a present of anything. Did you not say that he intended to make you a present of some appointment in the king's household?"
"I beg your pardon, count; but, if I succeed in obtaining the appointment, you, and not he, will have bestowed it on me."
"Besides he will not have given it to you for nothing, I suppose. Stay, I have it;there is a Malicorne at Orleans who lends money to the prince."
"I think that must be my father, monsieur."
"Ah! the prince has the father, and that terrible dragon of a Manicamp has the son. Take care, monsieur, I know him. He will fleece you completely."
"The only difference is, that I lend without interest," said Malicorne, smiling.
"I was correct in saying you were either a saint or very much resembled one. M. Malicorne, you shall have the post you want, or I will forfeit my name."