“At once. Shall it be served in your room, or in the common room?”
“In the common room, it’s more amusing; only give me a table to myself. Don’t forget my horse. He is a fine beast, and I love him better than I do certain Christians, word of honor!”
The landlord gave his orders. Montbar stood before the fire, his coat-tails drawn aside, warming his calves.
“So you still keep to the posting business?” he said to the landlord, as if desirous of keeping up the conversation.
“I should think so!”
“Then you relay the diligences?”
“Not the diligences, but the mail-coaches.”
“Ah! tell me—I want to go to Chambéry some of these days—how many places are there in the mail-coach?”
“Three; two inside, and one out with the courier.”
“Do I stand any chance of finding a vacant seat?”