"It's a singular profession that you practise."
"Dame! one does what one can do, monsieur; I have been, in succession, lawyer, doctor, soldier, and partisan; you see that I am not likely to go begging for a trade."
"What are you now?"
"Your humble servant," said the young man, bowing respectfully.
"Have you the letter in question?"
"Have you the blank signature?"
"Here it is."
"Shall we make the exchange?"
"One moment, monsieur," said the stranger in the blue cloak; "your conversation is delightful to me, and I should be sorry to lose my enjoyment of it so soon."
"Good lack! monsieur, it is quite at your service, as I myself am," rejoined Cauvignac. "Let us talk, by all means, if it is agreeable to you."