As soon as they reached the Chaussée d'Antin, they gave themselves a treat by extolling the object of their adoration, and praising her many merits, and they forgot the dangers of the projected expedition in the ecstacy of the thought that it would be accomplished with her. Towards midnight, when they were about to separate, M. Périères said to M. de Morin— "Then you take the doctor on your shoulders entirely?" "Yes, and I am just going to set about the task." "But you are at your own door; are you going in? "You have hit it. I am going to recruit my strength so as to bring him bound hand and foot." "I don't understand." "You will, very soon." "Good-night, my rival." "Good-night, my friend." CHAPTER VII. M. de Morin went up two storeys of a house in the Rue Taitbout, and rang. His servant, who was waiting up for him, came at once to open the door. The young painter went straight towards his bedroom, and, addressing the individual who was following him, candlestick in hand, said— "Joseph, I am going to bed at once, and I must be called at five o'clock to-morrow morning." "Are you going on a journey, sir?" "Not at present." "Then shall I get ready your shooting things, sir?" "No, I am not going out shooting. You will merely have ready for me the things I am going to take off." Joseph, like the well-bred domestic that he was, gave no sign of the astonishment which the order caused him; but, whilst his master was undressing, he thought he might venture on saying— "Will you kindly grant me, sir, a moment's conversation?" M. de Morin, who was unbuttoning his waistcoat, raised his head, looked at his valet, who was standing at attention before him, impassible, respectful, correct in every detail, and then, satisfied, apparently, with his inspection, replied— "Say on, but be brief—I want to go to sleep." "Rumours," commenced Joseph with an air of great importance, "have been current in Paris for several days past about a design which you, sir, are supposed to have formed—I make bold to ask you, sir, if there is any foundation for these rumours?" "To what rumours do you allude?" asked M. de Morin, whilst his servant, on his knees, was taking off his master's boots. "It is said that you cherish the idea, sir, of setting out for Africa very shortly." "And it is true. To re-echo your expression, I do cherish that idea." "Is it your intention, sir, to take me with you?" "I had not thought of it." "Would it be inconvenient to you, sir, if, at my request, you allow me to accompany you? I might be of some use, as I was a long time in Africa." "As how?" asked M. de Morin. "As _valet de chambre_ to a General." "And in what part of Africa did you live?" "In Algiers, sir." "And you never went out of it?" "Never."