The little man displayed no malice, but his eyes twinkled as he slipped from the back of his exhausted horse.
"You have ridden fast," I remarked, and, calling a servant, ordered him to give the animal a good feed and a rub down.
"Thanks, monsieur, he deserves it. A plague on these troublesome journeys. Why do people live outside Paris, I wonder?"
Laughing at the question, I inquired if he had come to see me.
"No, monsieur; this is an unexpected pleasure," and he showed his teeth in a broad grin. "I have brought a letter certainly, but this time there can be no mistake, as it is for a lady."
"If it is for Madame Coutance, you had better come to the house."
Madame had just returned from riding with Marie, but she at once received the messenger, and then sent him to obtain some much-needed refreshment. Breaking the seal, she read the letter hurriedly, with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.
"It is from Henri!" she exclaimed, excitedly, "and contains startling news. The old fox is beaten at last! De Retz has declared for Condé, who will soon take the reins into his own hands."
"Is Gaston left out in the cold?"
"Pouf! Henri doesn't even mention him; he is only a puppet."