"Timid!" echoed the duke; "that isn't the reputation he bears, unless I am much mistaken." "No, madame," said Francinette; "Monsieur le Baron has really gone." "How does it happen, madame, I pray to know, that the baron is afraid of me, when Francinette was instructed to invite him in your name? Did you tell him I was here, Francinette? Answer!" "I could not tell him, Monsieur le Duc, as he was not there." Notwithstanding this rejoinder, which was uttered with an absence of hesitation that betokened sincerity, the duke seemed to have become as suspicious as ever. Nanon, in her joy at the turn the affair had taken, could not find strength to say a word. "Must I return and summon Master Biscarros?" queried Francinette. "Most assuredly," said the duke, in his harshest voice; "but no; wait a moment. Remain here; your mistress may need you, and I will send Courtauvaux." Francinette vanished. Five minutes later, Courtauvaux knocked at the door. "Go and bid the landlord of the Golden Calf come hither, and bring with him a breakfast menu! Give him these ten louis, so that the breakfast may be a good one!" said the duke. Courtauvaux received the money on the skirt of his coat, and took himself off at once to execute his master's orders. He was a servant of good family, and knowing enough at his trade to give lessons to all the Crispins and Mascarillos of the day. He found Biscarros, and said to him,-- "I have induced monsieur to order a good breakfast; and he gave me eight louis. I keep two, of course, for my commission, and here are six for you. Come at once." Biscarros, tremulous with joy, tied a white apron around his loins, pocketed the six louis, and pressing Courtauvaux's hand, followed close upon his heels as he trotted away toward the little house. VIII. This time Nanon was without apprehension; Francinette's intelligence had reassured her completely, and she was even very anxious to talk with Biscarros. He was ushered in, therefore, immediately upon his arrival. Biscarros entered the room with his apron politely tucked in his belt, and cap in hand. "You had at your house yesterday a young gentleman, Monsieur le Baron de Canolles, did you not?" said Nanon. "What has become of him?" added the duke. Biscarros, somewhat ill at ease, for the outrider and the six louis made him more than suspect the great personage under the _robe de chambre_, replied evasively: "He has gone, monsieur." "Gone?" said the duke; "really gone?" "Really." "Where has he gone?" Nanon asked. "That I cannot tell you; for, in very truth, I do not know, madame." "You know at least in which direction he went?" "He took the Paris road." "At what hour did he take that road?" asked the duke. "About midnight." "And without saying anything?" queried Nanon, timidly. "Without saying anything; he simply left a letter, and bade me hand it to Mademoiselle Francinette."