Part 13 (1/2)
”Let us see,” said Percerin, incredulously
”Why, now,” continued Ara a _fete?_--Is it not to please hinan nodded assent
”By delicate attentions? by some happy device? by a succession of surprises, like that of which ere talking?--the enrolment of our Epicureans”
”Admirable”
”Well, then; this is the surprise we intend M Lebrun here is a man who draws most excellently”
”Yes,” said Percerin; ”I have seen his pictures, and observed that his dresses were highly elaborated That is why I at once agreed to ree with those of the Epicureans, or an original one”
”My dear monsieur, we accept your offer, and shall presently avail ourselves of it; but just now, M Lebrun is not in want of the dresses you will ”
Percerin nan--calmest and most appreciative ofaspects wore the proposal which Ara's dresses to any race is mad!” cried the poor tailor in extrenan,” said Ara
”Help me now to persuade monsieur, for _you_ understand; do you not?”
”Eh! eh!--not exactly, I declare”
”What! you do not understand that M Fouquet wishes to afford the king the surprise of finding his portrait on his arrival at Vaux; and that the portrait, which be a striking rese will be on the day it is shown?”
”Oh! yes, yes,” said the”Yes, ht; it is a happy idea
I ager it is one of your own, Aramis”
”Well, I don't know,” replied the bishop; ”eitherPercerin, after noticing D'Artagnan's hesitation, ”Well, Monsieur Percerin,” he asked, ”what do you say to this?”
”I say, that--”
”That you are, doubtless, free to refuse I knoell--and I by noyou, my dear monsieur I will sayup with M Fouquet's idea; you dread appearing to flatter the king A noble spirit, M
Percerin, a noble spirit!” The tailor stammered ”It would, indeed, be a very pretty co prince,” continued Aramis; ”but as the surintendant told me, 'if Percerin refuse, tell him that it will not at all lower him in my opinion, and I shall always esteem him, only--'”
”'Only?'” repeated Percerin, rather troubled
”'Only,'” continued Ara,'--you understand, my dear Monsieur Percerin, that these are M
Fouquet's words,--'I shall be constrained to say to the king, ”Sire, I had intended to present yourof delicacy, slightly exaggerated perhaps, although creditable, M Percerin opposed the project”'”