“Well, I would have got you a similar one.” “By whose means?” “Malicorne’s.” “Aure, are you telling the truth? Is that possible?” “Malicorne is there; and what he has done for me, he surely can do for you.” Malicorne had heard his name pronounced twice; he was delighted at having an opportunity of coming to a conclusion with Madame de Saint-Remy, and he turned round:-- “What is the question, mademoiselle?” “Come hither, Malicorne,” said Montalais, with an imperious gesture. Malicorne obeyed. “A _brevet_ like this,” said Montalais. “How so?” “A _brevet_ like this; that is plain enough.” “But--” “I want one--I must have one!” “Oh! oh! you must have one!” “Yes.” “It is impossible, is it not, M. Malicorne?” said Louise, with her sweet, soft voice. “If it is for _you_, mademoiselle--” “For me. Yes, Monsieur Malicorne, it _would_ be for me.” “And if Mademoiselle de Montalais asks it at the same time--” “Mademoiselle de Montalais does not ask it, she requires it.” “Well! we will endeavor to obey you, mademoiselle.” “And you will have her named?” “We will try.” “No evasive answers, Louise de la Vallière shall be maid of honor to Madame Henrietta within a week.” “How you talk!” “Within a week, or else--” “Well! or else?” “You may take back your _brevet_, Monsieur Malicorne; I will not leave my friend.” “Dear Montalais!” “That is right. Keep your _brevet_; Mademoiselle de la Vallière shall be a maid of honor.” “Is that true?” “Quite true.” “I may then hope to go to Paris?” “Depend on it.” “Oh! Monsieur Malicorne, what joy!” cried Louise, clapping her hands, and bounding with pleasure. “Little dissembler!” said Montalais, “try again to make me believe you are not in love with Raoul.” Louise blushed like a rose in June, but instead of replying, she ran and embraced her mother. “Madame,” said she, “do you know that M. Malicorne is going to have me appointed maid of honor?” “M. Malicorne is a prince in disguise,” replied the old lady, “he is all-powerful, seemingly.” “Should you also like to be a maid of honor?” asked Malicorne of Madame de Saint-Remy. “Whilst I am about it, I might as well get everybody appointed.” And upon that he went away, leaving the poor lady quite disconcerted. “Humph!” murmured Malicorne as he descended the stairs,--“Humph! there goes another note of a thousand livres! but I must get through as well as I can; my friend Manicamp does nothing for nothing.” Chapter IV. Malicorne and Manicamp.