“French!” cried the chancellor; “I was born in the Rue St. Honoré.”
“Oh, that will do,” said Beausire. “Your name is Ducorneau, is it not?”
“Yes, monsieur; rather a lucky one, as it has a Spanish termination. It is very flattering to me that monsieur knew my name.”
“Oh, you are well known; so well that we did not bring a chancellor from Lisbon with us.”
“I am very grateful, monsieur; but I think M. de Souza is ringing.”
“Let us go and see.”
They found Manoël attired in a magnificent dressing-gown. Several boxes and dressing-cases, of rich appearance, were already unpacked and lying about.
“Enter,” said he to the chancellor.
“Will his excellency be angry if I answer in French?” said Ducorneau, in a low voice, to Beausire.
“Oh, no; I am sure of it.”