But the reflection that Laval's presence,
which would cut the knot of our difficulties, would also place me
at the mercy of his wit, did not enable me to contemplate it with
entire indifference.
By-and-by we heard him dismount, and a moment later he came in
with a gentleman and two or three armed servants. He did not at
once see me, but as the crowd made way for him he addressed
himself sharply to M. Grabot. "Well, have you got them?" he
said.
"Certainly, M. le Comte."
"Oh! very well. Now for the particulars, then. You must state
your charge quickly, for I have to be in Vitre to-day."
"He alleged that he had been appointed Mayor of Bottitort,"
Grabot answered pompously.
"Umph! I don't know?" M. de Laval muttered, looking round with
a frown of discontent. "I hope that you have not brought me
hither on a fool's errand. Which one?"
"That one," the Mayor said, pointing to the solemn man, whose
gravity and depression were now something preternatural.
"Oh!" M. de Laval grumbled. "But that is not all, I suppose.
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