“Open your beautiful eyes, then.” “And you your large ears.” “Approach your little mouth for a kiss.” “Here,” said Montalais, who paid the debt immediately in ringing coin. “Now let us consider. First, we have M. de Guiche, who is in love with Madame; then La Vallière, who is in love with the king; next, the king, who is in love both with Madame and La Vallière; lastly Monsieur, who loves no one but himself. Among all these loves, a noodle would make his fortune: a greater reason, therefore, for sensible people like ourselves to do so.” “There you are with your dreams again.” “Nay, rather with realities. Let me still lead you, darling. I do not think you have been very badly off hitherto?” “No.” “Well, the future is guaranteed by the past. Only, since all here think of themselves before anything else, let us do so too.” “Perfectly right.” “But of ourselves only.” “Be it so.” “An offensive and defensive alliance.” “I am ready to swear it.” “Put out your hand, then, and say, ‘All for Malicorne.’” “All for Malicorne.” “And I, ‘All for Montalais,’” replied Malicorne, stretching out his hand in his turn. “And now, what is to be done?” “Keep your eyes and ears constantly open; collect every means of attack which may be serviceable against others; never let anything lie about which can be used against ourselves.” “Agreed.” “Decided.” “Sworn to. And now the agreement entered into, good-bye.” “What do you mean by ‘good-bye?’” “Of course you can now return to your inn.” “To my inn?” “Yes; are you not lodging at the sign of the Beau Paon?” “Montalais, Montalais, you now betray that you were aware of my being at Fontainebleau.” “Well; and what does that prove, except that I occupy myself about you more than you deserve?” “Hum!” “Go back, then, to the Beau Paon.” “That is now quite out of the question.” “Have you not a room there?” “I had, but have it no longer.” “Who has taken it from you, then?” “I will tell you. Some little time ago I was returning there, after I had been running about after you; and having reached my hotel quite out of breath, I perceived a litter, upon which four peasants were carrying a sick monk.” “A monk?” “Yes, an old gray-bearded Franciscan. As I was looking at the monk, they entered the hotel; and as they were carrying him up the staircase, I followed, and as I reached the top of the staircase I observed that they took him into my room.” “Into your room?” “Yes, into my own apartment. Supposing it to be a mistake, I summoned the landlord, who said that the room which had been let to me for the past eight days was let to the Franciscan for the ninth.” “Oh, oh!”