II
HE rose early the next morning—and observed the weather anxiously. It rained heavily. “Good,” said he, feeling his back. “One can’t dig in the wet. I shall have time to arrange affairs.”
He had, in fact, tasks of no small difficulty to achieve.
The first was with Monsieur Alphonse. The Duke courteously requested the chef’s presence, Frank being the intermediary. Alphonse came.
“Monsieur,” said the Duke, “I have to make a communication to you.”
“Hélas, Monsieur le Duc!” said Monsieur Alphonse.
“I shall not dine to-night. No, I sha’n’t have any dinner at all to-night.”
“But this is worse than anything I had expected!”
“I shall have tea—at seven.”
“Mais——” said Alphonse.