When they reached the château, as the supper hour had not arrived, he walked to the rectory to consult with Monsieur Poulain.
"Well, monsieur," said the trusty Adamas, as he removed his master's boots—in his capacity of homme de chambre he almost never left the château of Briantes—"well, monsieur, must we think about preparing the betrothal banquet?"
"To be sure, my friend. We must think about it at once."
"Really, monsieur? Well, I was sure of it, and I am so pleased that I don't know where I am. Just fancy, monsieur, that that red hackney whom you call Bellinde, and who would be better named Tisiphone——"
"Fie! fie, Adamas! You know that I do not like to hear one of the sex spoken of in a slighting manner. What new trouble is there between you?"
"Pardon me, my noble master, but the trouble is that that ill-tempered creature listens at doors, and that she knows of the step monsieur has taken to-day. Only a little while ago she was laughing about it like a cackling hen with that stupid housekeeper of the rector."
"How do you know that, Adamas?"
"I know it by magic, monsieur; but, at all events, I know it!"
"By magic? Since when have you been dabbling in the occult sciences?"
"I will tell you, monsieur. I have nothing to hide from you, but will you not deign to tell me first how you made your sentiments known to the peerless lady of your thoughts, and how she replied; for I am sure that nothing so eloquent was ever said under the heavens since the world was made, and I would like to be able to write as fast as Master Jovelin, so that I could put it on paper as monsieur repeats it to me."