"You shall know when I return," said the marquis, going up to his chamber to don his armor. "Was care taken to saddle the horses in the small stable, so that only the men who are to accompany me will know of our departure?"
"Yes, monsieur, I myself looked to it."
"Are you going very far?" cried Mario, who had just supped with Mercedes and was returning to his bedroom.
"No, my son, I am not going far. I shall return in two short hours. You must sleep quietly. Come quickly and kiss me!"
"Oh! how handsome you are!" said Mario, artlessly. "Are you going to La Motte-Seuilly again?"
"No, no, I am going to dance at a ball," the marquis replied with a smile.
"Take me, so that I can see you dance," said the child.
"I cannot; but be patient, my little cupid, for after to-morrow I will not take a step without you."
When the old nobleman had donned his little cap of yellow leather striped with silver, with an inner lining of iron, and adorned with long plumes drooping over his shoulder; when he was arrayed in his short military cloak, his long sword, and his gorget of shining steel buckled beneath his lace ruff, Adamas could vow, without flattery, that he had an air of grandeur, especially as the excitement of the evening had caused his paint to disappear, so that he wore almost his natural face, by no means that of a popinjay.
"Now you are ready, monsieur," said Adamas. "But am I not to go with you?"