"Another matter indeed worries us. What about the old Countess of Bearn?" asked Jean.
"I have done the job, and she will come. I said I was her lawyer's daughter, Mademoiselle Flageot, and that, passing through Verdun, I repeated from my father that her case was coming on. I added that she must appear in person, whereupon she opened her gray eyes, took a pinch of snuff, and saying Lawyer Flageot was the first of business men, she gave orders for her departure."
"Splendid, Chon! I appoint you my ambassador extraordinary. Come and have breakfast!"
"Only too glad, for this poor boy is dying of hunger. But we must make haste, for the dauphiness is only three leagues off."
"Plague! that changes the tune.
Go on to the posting house, with me hanging on as I am."
In five minutes the coach was at the inn door, where Chon ordered cutlets, fowl, wine and eggs, as they had to be off forthwith.
"Excuse me, lady, but it will have to be with your own horses, for all mine are out. If you find one at the manger, I will eat it."
"You ought to have some, for the regulations require it. Let me tell you," thundered Jean with a hectoring air, "I am not the man to jest."
"If I had fifty in the stable it would be the same as none, for they are all held on the dauphiness' service."