As soon as La Briere, who at first saw nothing
amiss in the proposal, had consented, Canalis declared that he should
pay all expenses, and he sent his valet to Havre, telling him to see
Monsieur Latournelle and get his assistance in choosing the house,
--well aware that the notary would repeat all particulars to the
Mignons. Ernest and Canalis had, as may well be supposed, talked over
all the aspects of the affair, and the rather prolix Ernest had given
a good many useful hints to his rival. The valet, understanding his
master's wishes, fulfilled them to the letter; he trumpeted the
arrival of the great poet, for whom the doctors advised sea-air to
restore his health, injured as it was by the double toils of
literature and politics. This important personage wanted a house,
which must have at least such and such a number of rooms, as he would
bring with him a secretary, cook, two servants, and a coachman, not
counting himself, Germain Bonnet, the valet. The carriage, selected
and hired for a month by Canalis, was a pretty one; and Germain set
about finding a pair of fine horses which would also answer as
saddle-horses,--for, as he said, monsieur le baron and his secretary
took horseback exercise.
Pages:
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259