Part 17 (1/2)

There was no doubt, then, that this lieutenant of musketeers had heard all that passed in his majesty's apart, he cae, and to follow him with his eyes till he had disappeared in the corridor

Then as soon as he had disappeared, he shook his head after a fashi+on peculiarly his own, and in a voice which forty years' absence from Gascony had not deprived of its Gascon accent, ”A melancholy service,”

said he, ”and a melancholy master!”

These words pronounced, the lieutenant resus and closed his eyes, like athis short ue and the h the long corridors of the old castle, proceeded to the apart enacted in those apartout But as he was a man of order, who utilized even pain, he forced his wakefulness to be the humble servant of his labor He had consequently ordered Bernouin, his valet de chaht write in bed But the gout is not an adversary that allows itself to be conquered so easily; therefore, at each movement he made, the pain from dull became sharp

”Is Brienne there?” asked he of Bernouin

”No, neur,” replied the valet de chaone to bed But if it is the wish of your eminence, he can speedily be called”

”No, it is not worth while Let us see, however Cursed ciphers!”

And the cardinal began to think, counting on his fingers the while

”Oh, ciphers is it?” said Bernouin ”Very well! if your eminence attempts calculations, I will promise you a pretty headache to-morrow!

And with that please to reht, Bernouin You ht to have brought M Colbert with oes on very well, Bernouin, very well; a very orderly youth”

”I do not know,” sad the valet de cha oes on so well”

”Well, well, Bernouin! We don't stand in need of your advice Place yourself there: take the pen and write”

”I aneur; what am I to write?”

”There, that's the place: after the two lines already traced”

”I am there”

”Write seven hundred and sixty thousand livres”

”That is written”

”Upon Lyons--” The cardinal appeared to hesitate

”Upon Lyons,” repeated Bernouin