"Your excellency is playing for a fortune; and this time we win--faith of a gentleman! Make it a thousand crowns, and your bonny bird is yours with the dawn, and I will myself perform the wedding ceremony if you like." "You?" "Yes, excellency," and Trotto put his hand to the crown of his head. "My hair has grown, but, you will remember, I am none the less a priest for all that." There was another silence. Simon knitted his brow, as if in thought. Then he cursed again at his wounded arm, and spoke: "It is an exorbitant sum; but I agree on one condition." "And that is?" "If you fail you get nothing; you have sucked enough from me already." "As your excellency pleases." And then, bending for an instant over the wounded arm: "He must have been a rare swordsman to have beaten you." Simon writhed in his chair. "Beaten me! I had the dog at my mercy, but was not quick enough in the last parry." "Ah, excellency, 'tis always that little delay that causes accidents like this." And Trotto made a gesture towards the wounded arm; but Simon snarled at him: "Don't touch it, fool! Ugh! how it stings! There is one consolation, however--that he must be squirming himself with pain now." "Eh! Then you touched him?" "Twice, Trotto, twice!" "Ah! that accounts for his wearing his cloak so tightly over his left shoulder." Simon started: "Wearing his cloak so tightly! Have you seen him?" Torquato nodded, and the Vidame went on impatiently: "Are you dreaming, or am I? You have not been out of the house." "But, excellency, benighted travellers might seek the house for rest and a guide to the ford of the Mable." At these words a red flush came over Simon's face, and he half rose from his chair. "Here, here!" he exclaimed, his voice almost cracking with excitement--"here!--in Le Jaquemart! My sword, Trotto--quick!" And he shivered with pain as he attempted to stand; but Torquato made him sit back, and when he had succeeded told him what is already known. "And so," he concluded, "Malsain has by this time disposed of the lackey, and La Marmotte is keeping the other birds amused until my return. When it is all settled," and Trotto laughed, "your excellency may make ready for the wedding, and La Marmotte will make a rare bridesmaid." With these words he bowed, and went to the door, but stopped at Simon's voice. "Trotto!" "Excellency!" "Be sure, and fail not!" "With a wounded man? Be happy, excellency! 'Twill be all over by midnight. I will have it done before Aramon returns, to save sharing the crowns. Good-night." "Trotto!" The captain put his head back through the door, and Simon said: "Call me when 'tis over. I would see the carrion ere we put it away."