"Monsieur le Gouverneur de Vayres!"
"Ah!" said Canolles; "it's very kind of him."
He stepped forward to meet the colleague in whom he expected to find a stranger, but started back in amazement.
"Richon!" he cried; "Richon, governor of Vayres!"
"Myself, my dear baron," returned Richon, affably, but with his customary serious expression.
"Ah! so much the better! so much the better!" said Canolles, cordially pressing his hand. "Messieurs," he added, "you do not know him, but I do; and I say, emphatically, that it would be impossible to intrust an important appointment to a more honorable man."
Richon looked proudly about upon the guests, and as he detected no other expression in the looks which were bent upon him than polite surprise tempered with much good-will, he said:—
"My dear baron, now that you have answered for me so handsomely, present me, I beg you, to those of your guests whom I haven't the honor of knowing."
As he spoke he glanced significantly at three or four gentlemen to whom he was an entire stranger.
Thereupon ensued an interchange of civilities in the courtly manner characteristic of the time. Before half an hour had passed Richon was on the friendliest terms with all the young officers, and might have asked any one of them for his sword or his purse. His sponsors were his well-known gallantry, his spotless reputation, and the noble spirit written in his eyes.