"All except an old man, who refuses to go."
"Who is he?"
"I do not know; he——"
Further explanation was interrupted by a timid voice issuing from the open door.
"I only desire five minutes' conversation with M. le Duc d'Aumont."
And a wizened little figure dressed in seedy black, with lean shanks encased in coarse woollen stockings, shuffled into the room. He seemed to be carrying a great number of papers and books under both arms, and as he stepped timidly forward some of these tumbled in a heap at his feet.
"Only five minutes' conversation with M. le Duc."
His eyes were very pale, and very watery, and his hair was of a pale straw colour. He stooped to pick up his papers, and dropped others in the process.
"M. le Duc is not visible," said M. Joseph majestically.
"Perhaps a little later——" suggested the lean individual.