What of the others?"
M. Grabot pointed to me. "That one," he said--
He got no farther; for M. de Laval, springing forward, seized my
hand and saluted me warmly. "Why, your excellency," he cried, in
a tone of boundless surprise, "what are you doing in this GALERE!
All last evening I waited for you, at my house, and now--"
"Here I am," I answered jocularly, "in charge it seems, M. le
Comte!"
"MON DIEU!" he cried. "I don't understand it!"
I shrugged my shoulders. "Don't ask me," I said. "Perhaps your
friend the Mayor call tell you."
"But, Monsieur, I do not understand," the Mayor answered
piteously, his mouth agape with horror, his fat cheeks turning in
a moment all colours. "This gentleman, whom you seem to know,
Monsieur le Comte--"
"Is the Marquis de Rosny, President of the Council, blockhead!"
Laval cried irately. "You madman! you idiot!" he continued, as
light broke in upon him, and he saw that it was indeed on a
fool's errand that he had been roused so early. "Is this your
conspiracy? Have you dared to bring me here--"
But I thought that it was time to interfere.
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