"The rascal!" said Chavigni, "that is the way we are served. But now we come to this business of the Count de Blenau--what do you expect for the whole concern?" "Nay but, Monseigneur, you forget," exclaimed the other; "there is one little item before that. Put down,--for being an Astrologer." "Why, I have given you fifty crowns on that account already," rejoined the Statesman; "you are exorbitant, Seigneur Marteville." "That fifty crowns went for my expenses--all of it," replied the other. "There was my long black robe all covered with gimcracks; there was my leathern belt, painted with all the signs under heaven; there was my white beard, and wig, which cost me ten good crowns at the shop of Jansen the Peruquier: besides the harness of my horse, which was made to suit, and my Astrologer's bonnet, which kept all fast upon my head. Now, Monseigneur, you cannot give me less than fifty crowns, for being out two nights, and running the risk of being burnt alive." "I think not," said Chavigni, "so let that pass. But to come to the other business." "Why, first and foremost," replied the Norman, marking each article as he named it, by laying the index of his right hand upon one of the immense fingers of his left,--"For making love to Mademoiselle's maid." "Nay, nay, nay!" cried Chavigni, "this is too much. That must be part of the dower I have promised with her, of which we will talk presently. But have you married her?" "No," answered the Norman, "not yet. We will see about that hereafter." Chavigni's cheek reddened, and his brow knit into a heavy frown. "No evasions, Sir. I commanded you, when you took her away last night from Chantilly, to marry her directly, and you agreed to do so. Why is it not done?" "If the truth must be told, Monseigneur, it is not done, because it goes against a Norman gentleman's stomach to take up with any body's cast-offs." "Do not be insolent, Sir," cried the Statesman. "Did I not give you my honour that your suspicion was false? Know, Sir, that though Chavigni may sometimes condescend to converse with you, or may appear to trifle for a moment with a girl like this Louise, it is merely to gain some greater object that he does so; and that unless it be for some State purpose, he never honours such beings with his thoughts." "Well, well, Monseigneur," replied the other, seeing the fire that flashed in his Lord's eye, "I will marry her: _Foy de Normand!_ Don't be angry; I will marry her." "_Foy de Normand!_ will not do," said Chavigni. "It must be this very night." "_Eh bien! Eh bien! Soit_," cried the Norman, and then muttered to himself with a grin, "I've four wives now living; a fifth won't make much difference."