“Devil take it, my lord! what a gourmand you are growing; I haven’t seen you with so cheerful a face these five years.”
The duke saw that he had not controlled himself as he ought, but at that moment, as if he had listened at the door and comprehended the urgent need of diverting La Ramee’s ideas, Grimaud entered and made a sign to La Ramee that he had something to say to him.
La Ramee drew near to Grimaud, who spoke to him in a low voice.
The duke meanwhile recovered his self-control.
“I have already forbidden that man,” he said, “to come in here without my permission.”
“You must pardon him, my lord,” said La Ramee, “for I directed him to come.”
“And why did you so direct when you know that he displeases me?”
“My lord will remember that it was agreed between us that he should wait upon us at that famous supper. My lord has forgotten the supper.”
“No, but I have forgotten Monsieur Grimaud.”
“My lord understands that there can be no supper unless he is allowed to be present.”