CHAPTER III
My Departure From Paris—My Journey to Madrid—The Count of
Aranda—The Prince de la Catolica—The Duke of Lossada—
Mengs—A Ball—Madame Pichona—Donna Ignazia
“Well, chevalier,” I said, “I have read the little note, and I will try and oblige his majesty as soon as possible. However, if I have not time to get away in twenty-four hours, his majesty must work his dread will on me.”
“My dear sir, the twenty-four hours are a mere formality. Subscribe the order and give me a receipt for the lettre de cachet, and you can go at your convenience. All I ask of you is that you give me your word of honour not to go to the theatres or public places of amusement on foot.”
“I give you my word with pleasure.”
I took the chevalier to my room and gave him the necessary acknowledgment, and with the observation that he would be glad to see my brother, whom he knew already, I led him into the dining-room, and explained with a cheerful face the purport of his visit.
My brother laughed and said,—
“But, M. Buhot, this news is like March in Lent, it was quite unnecessary; my brother was going in the course of a week.”
“All the better. If the minister had been aware of that he would not have troubled himself about it.”
“Is the reason known?”