36 TEN YEAKS LATER. "Very good. I will speak to Monsieur about it. By the bye, she is of gentle birth?" "She belongs to a very good family, and is maid of honor to madame." "That's well. Will you accompany me to Monsieur?" "Most certainly, if I may be permitted the honor." "Have you your carriage?" "No; I came here on horseback." "Dressed as you are?" "No, monsieur; I posted from Orleans, and I changed my traveling-suit for the one I have on, in order to present myself to you." "True, you already told me you had come from Orleans;" saying which he crumpled Manicamp's letter in his hand, and thrust it in his pocket. "I beg your pardon," said Malicorne timidly; "but I do not think you have read all." "Not read all, do you say?" "No; there were two letters in the same envelope." "Oh, oh! are you sure?" "Quite sure." "Let us look, then," said the comte, as he opened the letter again. "Ah! you are right," he said, opening the paper which he had not yet read. "I suspected it," he continued, "another application for an appointment under Monsieur. This Manicamp is a com- plete gulf — he is carrying on a trade in it." "No, Monsieur le Comte; he wishes to make a present of it." "To whom?" "To myself, monsieur." "Why did you not say so at once, my dear Monsieur Mau- vaisecorne?" "Malicorne, Monsieur le Comte." "Forgive me; it is the Latin which bothers me — that terrible habit of etymologies. Why the deuce are young men of family taught Latin? Mala and mauvaise — you un- derstand it is the same thing. You will forgive me, I trust. Monsieur de Malicorne." "Your kindness affects me much, monsieur; but it is a reason why I should make you acquainted with one circum- stance without any delay." "What is it?" "That I was not born a gentleman. I am not without
