"Perfectly, M. de Vidoche," the astrologer answered, removing his hat.
"Did you know I was following you?"
"I came to show you the way."
"That is a lie, at any rate!" the young noble retorted, with a sneer, "for I did not know I was coming myself."
"Until you saw me," the astrologer answered, unmoved. "Will you not take off your cloak? You will need it when you leave."
M. de Vidoche complied with an ill grace. "The usual stock-in-trade, I see," he muttered, looking round him scornfully. "Skulls and bones, and dead hands and gibbet-ropes. Faugh! The place smells. I suppose these are the things you keep to frighten children."
"Some," Nôtredame answered calmly--he was busy lighting a lamp--"and some are for sale."
"For sale?" M. de Vidoche cried incredulously. "Who will buy them?"
"Some one thing, and some another," the astrologer answered carelessly. "Take this, for instance," he continued, turning to his visitor, and looking at him for the first time. "I expect to find a customer for that very shortly."
M. de Vidoche followed the direction of his finger, and shuddered, despite himself. "That" was a coffin. "Enough of this," he said, with savage impatience. "Suppose you get off your high horse, and come to business. Can I sit, man, or are you going to keep me standing all night?"