To youth and good looks
he added a modest bearing that did not fail to enhance them and
commend him to me; the majority of the young sparks of the day
being wiser than their fathers. But I confess that I was not
prepared for the stammering embarrassment with which he addressed
me--nor, indeed, to be addressed by him at all.
"M. de Sully," he said, in a tone of emotion, "I beg you to
pardon me. I am in great trouble, and I think that perhaps,
stranger as I am, you may condescend to do me a service."
So many men appeal to a minister with some such formula on their
lips, and at times with a calculated timidity, that at the first
blush of his request I was inclined to bid him come to me at the
proper time; and to remove to another part of the room. But
curiosity, playing the part of his advocate, found so much that
was candid in his manner that I hesitated. "What is it?" I said
stiffly.
"A very slight, if a very unusual, one," he muttered. "M. le
Duc, I only want you to--"
"To?" for he stopped and seemed unable to go on.
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