“Mother,” said Lucien as he rose, “you will excuse our leaving you, will you not?”
She extended her hand to him, and the young man kissed it with the same respect as he had previously done.
Then turning to me, Lucien said—
“If you prefer to finish your supper quietly, and to smoke your cigar afterwards——”
“No, no!” I cried; “hang it, you have promised me a bandit, and I must have one.”
“Well, then, let us take our guns and be off.”
I bowed respectfully to Madame de Franchi, and we left the room, preceded by Griffo, who carried a light.
Our preparations did not occupy us very long.
I clasped a travelling belt round my waist, from which was suspended a sort of hunting-knife, and in the folds of which I carried powder and ball.