“You know that the king has sought for an opportunity, but uselessly, of speaking to the prisoner, and that neither you nor myself have yet succeeded in procuring him this piece of good fortune.”
“You certainly ought to know something about the subject, my poor Malicorne,” said Saint-Aignan, smiling.
“Very good; what do you suppose would happen to the man whose imagination devised some means of bringing the lovers together?”
“Oh! the king would set no bounds to his gratitude.”
“Let me ask you, then, M. de Saint-Aignan, whether you would not be curious to taste a little of this royal gratitude?”
“Certainly,” replied Saint-Aignan, “any favor of my master, as a recognition of the proper discharge of my duty, would assuredly be most precious.”
“In that case, look at this paper, monsieur le comte.”
“What is it—a plan?”
“Yes; a plan of M. de Guiche’s two rooms, which, in all probability, will soon be your two rooms.”
“Oh! no, whatever may happen.”