"I rely upon it; for I am well aware of your zeal and intelligence."
XLIII
ANOTHER THRASHING
Léodgard was but partially satisfied with the result of his message. The marchioness had smiled, and had placed the letter over her heart. To be sure, that did not indicate that she was annoyed with him who had written it; but it advanced his love affair very little.
"And now you have no excuse for going again to the marchioness's, have you?" the count asked his messenger.
Whereupon the little clerk drew himself up, placed his hand proudly on his hip, and replied with a self-satisfied air:
"We always have one, monseigneur; we are never at a loss for expedients, God be praised! This time we told the lady to omit one of her names when she signed the deed. That will suffice to require us to return for the rectification of that error.—Ha! ha! that was not bad!—But if we had not that pretext, we would invent a thousand others."
"Very good! I see that you are a sharp-witted youth."
"I dare to flatter myself that I am, seigneur."
"Take this money, and come again to this same wine shop four days hence; I will then give you another letter for the marchioness."
"Agreed, monsieur le comte; and be sure that on that day I will arrange still another pretext for returning to the house."