"Yes, monseigneur."
The Duc d'Orléans took two or three turns round the library, still continuing his singing. Then he went on, a moment later—
"Neither Vatout, nor Casimir, nor Tallencourt?..."
"MM. Vatout and Casimir have not come, monseigneur, and Tallencourt has gone out."
Twice again he perambulated round the library, still humming to himself. He evidently wished to enter into conversation, so I ventured to ask him—
"Does monseigneur want anything I can do in the absence of the other gentlemen?"
"No; I wanted to show Vatout an historic portrait and to ask his opinion."
"Unhappily, as monseigneur needs advice, I am afraid I am no substitute for M. Vatout."
"Come with me, nevertheless," said the duke.