Le collier de la reine. English

by Alexandre Dumas

  CHAPTER XXVI.

  THE AMBASSADOR.

  On the evening of the next day a traveling-carriage passed through theBarriere d'Enfer, so covered with dust and scratches that no one coulddiscern the arms. The four horses that drew it went at a rapid pace,until it arrived before an hotel of handsome appearance, in the Rue dela Jussienne, at the door of which two men, one of whom was in fulldress, were waiting. The carriage entered the courtyard of the hotel,and one of the persons waiting approached the door, and commencedspeaking in bad Portuguese.

  "Who are you?" said a voice from the inside, speaking the languageperfectly.

  "The unworthy chancellor of the embassy, your excellency."

  "Very well. Mon Dieu! how badly you speak our language, my dearchancellor! But where are we to go?"

  "This way, monseigneur."

  "This is a poor reception," said Don Manoel, as he got out of thecarriage, leaning on the arms of his secretary and valet.

  "Your excellency must pardon me," said the chancellor, "but the courierannouncing your arrival only reached the hotel at two o'clock to-day. Iwas absent on some business, and when I returned, found yourexcellency's letter; I have only had time to have the rooms opened andlighted."

  "Very good."

  "It gives me great pleasure to see the illustrious person of ourambassador."

  "We desire to keep as quiet as possible," said Don Manoel, "until wereceive further orders, from Lisbon. But pray show me to my room, for Iam dying with fatigue; my secretary will give you all necessarydirections."

  The chancellor bowed respectfully to Beausire, who returned it, and thensaid, "We will speak French, sir; I think it will be better for both ofus."

  "Yes," murmured the chancellor, "I shall be more at my ease; for Iconfess that my pronunciation----"

  "So I hear," interrupted Beausire.

  "I will take the liberty to say to you, sir, as you seem so amiable,that I trust M. de Souza will not be annoyed at my speaking such badPortuguese."

  "Oh, not at all, as you speak French."

  "French!" cried the chancellor; "I was born in the Rue St. Honore."

  "Oh, that will do," said Beausire. "Your name is Ducorneau, is it not?"

  "Yes, monsieur; rather a lucky one, as it has a Spanish termination. Itis very flattering to me that monsieur knew my name."

  "Oh, you are well known; so well that we did not bring a chancellor fromLisbon with us."

  "I am very grateful, monsieur; but I think M. de Souza is ringing."

  "Let us go and see."

  They found Manoel attired in a magnificent dressing-gown. Several boxesand dressing-cases, of rich appearance, were already unpacked and lyingabout.

  "Enter," said he to the chancellor.

  "Will his excellency be angry if I answer in French?" said Ducorneau, ina low voice, to Beausire.

  "Oh, no; I am sure of it."

  M. Ducorneau, therefore, paid the compliments in French.

  "Oh, it is very convenient that you speak French so well, M. Ducorno,"said the ambassador.

  "He takes me for a Portuguese," thought the chancellor, with joy.

  "Now," said Manoel, "can I have supper?"

  "Certainly, your excellency. The Palais Royal is only two steps fromhere, and I know an excellent restaurant, from which your excellency canhave a good supper in a very short time."

  "Order it in your own name, if you please, M. Ducorno."

  "And if your excellency will permit me, I will add to it some bottles ofcapital wine."

  "Oh, our chancellor keeps a good cellar, then?" said Beausire, jokingly.

  "It is my only luxury," replied he. And now, by the wax-lights, theycould remark his rather red nose and puffed cheeks.

  "Very well, M. Ducorno; bring your wine, and sup with us."

  "Such an honor----"

  "Oh, no etiquette to-night; I am only a traveler. I shall not begin tobe ambassador till to-morrow; then we will talk of business."

  "Monseigneur will permit me to arrange my toilet."

  "Oh, you are superb already," said Beausire.

  "Yes, but this is a reception dress, and not a gala one."

  "Remain as you are, monsieur, and give the time to expediting oursupper."

  Ducorneau, delighted, left the room to fulfil his orders. Then the threerogues, left together, began to discuss their affairs.

  "Does this chancellor sleep here?" said Manoel.

  "No; the fellow has a good cellar, and, I doubt not, a snug lodgingsomewhere or other. He is an old bachelor."

  "There is a Suisse."

  "We must get rid of him; and there are a few valets, whom we mustreplace to-morrow with our own friends."

  "Who is in the kitchen department?"

  "No one. The old ambassador did not live here; he had a house in thetown."

  "What about the strong-box?"

  "Oh, on that point we must consult the chancellor; it is a delicatematter."

  "I charge myself with it," said Beausire; "we are already capitalfriends."

  "Hush! here he comes."

  Ducorneau entered, quite out of breath. He had ordered the supper, andfetched six bottles of wine from his cellar, and was looking quiteradiant at the thoughts of the coming repast.

  "Will your excellency descend to the dining-room?"

  "No, we will sup up here."

  "Here is the wine, then," said Ducorneau.

  "It sparkles like rubies," said Beausire, holding it to the light.

  "Sit down, M. Ducorneau; my valet will wait upon us. What day did thelast despatches arrive?"

  "Immediately after the departure of your excellency's predecessor."

  "Are the affairs of the embassy in good order?"

  "Oh yes, monseigneur."

  "No money difficulties? no debts?"

  "Not that I know of."

  "Because, if there are, we must begin by paying them."

  "Oh, your excellency will have nothing of that sort to do. All theaccounts were paid up three weeks ago; and the day after the departureof the late ambassador one hundred thousand francs arrived here."

  "One hundred thousand francs?" said Beausire.

  "Yes, in gold."

  "So," said Beausire, "the box contains----"

  "100,380 francs, monsieur."

  "It is not much," said Manoel, coldly; "but, happily, her majesty hasplaced funds at my disposal. I told you," continued he, turning toBeausire, "that I thought we should need it at Paris."

  "Your excellency took wise precautions," said Beausire, respectfully.

  From the time of this important communication the hilarity of the partywent on increasing. A good supper, consisting of salmon, crabs, andsweets, contributed to their satisfaction. Ducorneau, quite at his ease,ate enough for ten, and did not fail, either, in demonstrating that aParisian could do honor to port and sherry.